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Police summon Sheikh Ilyas over comments related to Dr. Afrasheem's murder

Nafaahath Ibrahim
05 September 2018, MVT 21:30
Sheikh Ilyas Hussain. FILE PHOTO/MIHAARU
Nafaahath Ibrahim
05 September 2018, MVT 21:30

Religious scholar Sheikh Ilyas Hussain was summoned for questioning by the police on Wednesday, for statements he had made regarding the murder of former Ungoofaaru MP Dr. Afrasheem Ali.

During a press conference, Superintendent of Police Ahmed Shifaan said that some of the statements made by Sheikh Ilyas are new information that they previously did not have regarding Dr. Afrasheem’s murder case.

Shifaan questioned the purpose of the statements made by Ilyas six years after the brutal killing of Dr.Afraasheem, and stated that he will be interrogated to clarify it.

Sheikh Ilyas came under fire for some of the comments he made while speaking at an opposition gathering held in Addu City.

He stated that after the death of Dr. Afrasheem, nine youngsters who were related to the murder were seen confessing to their crime on social media. Ilyas accused the police of not investigating these incidences in his speech.

Following his speech, ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM)'s parliamentary group leader Ahmed Nihan had called to investigate Ilyas' comments. Nihan said that since Sheikh Ilyas claims to be aware of those who murdered Dr. Afrasheem, he must be questioned to clarify this information.

In the press conference, the police stated that an extensive investigation was made into the murder with the help from the US Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI).

Shifaan questioned why information related to the case was not brought previously to the police. He added that such comments were made to create unrest in people’s minds toward the government and to create fear among people towards the police.

Ilyas had stated that he was talking about these things “now” as he might not have such an opportunity again.

According to religiously conservative Adhaalath Party's Vice President Ali Zaahir, Ilyas travelled to Malaysia on Wednesday morning to visit family members, and thus was not in the country when the police issued the summons.

Zaahir stated that this trip was a previously planned one and though Ilyas did not state a return date, he would return after meeting his family.

Zaahir noted that when he departed, Ilyas was not aware of the police summoning him for questioning.

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