Opposition denies allegations made against Yameen by DDCom

The Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and the People's National Congress (PNC) denied allegations made by Commission on Disappearances and Deaths (DDcom) stating former President Abdulla Yameen was involved in the disappearance and murder of journalist Ahmed Rilwan in 2014.

DDCom presented the report on the completed investigation of Rilwan's disappearance and murder to President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Thurday and spoke to the press afterwards. Rilwan, who worked in Maldives Independent (Minivan News), was last seen alive on August 8, 2014.

At the press conference, the DDCom alleged that Mohamed Munaz, one of the suspects involved in the case, had told former President Yameen how they kidnapped and murdered Rilwan.

They also stated that the people involved in this case had close relations with high ranking officials of the former administration.

In a press conference held by the opposition coalition of PPM and PNC, the President of PNC Abdul Raheem Abdullah said they do not accept the investigative report compiled by DDCom, nor the allegations made in the press conference. He said the statements made were not based on facts.

He went on to say that there was no evidence to connect this case to Yameen, as was previously stated by the former President of DDCom and current Supreme Court Judge Husnu Suoodh.

Therefore, Abdul Raheem said, as the commission had failed to uncover the desired results of this case, the report and the subsequent press conference were given with the aim of targeting Yameen as he is running for president in 2023.

"This is a political commission formed by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, under Article 115 of the constitution. These talks held by the commission are also political statements," he said.

He alleged that the intention of the commission was to undermine Yameen's integrity and to defame him. He also said the Maldivian people do not trust the current administration and since the administration has realised they will not be able to secure a second term, they have started to harass Yameen.

He further said several deaths have happened in this administration that have not yet been solved. He said that President Solih will have to take the responsibility for them.

Regarding the allegations made against Yameen by DDCom, his lawyers have decided to file a case against DDCom member Misbah Abbas in court.