Established in 2018 by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, DDCom was tasked with probing unresolved murders, enforced disappearances, and abductions between January 1, 2012, and November 17, 2018. While it achieved some s breakthroughs, many questions remain.
As the Commission on Deaths and Disappearances (DDCom) nears its dissolution by the end of May 2024, it leaves behind a complex legacy of investigating high-profile cases that have shaped the Maldives’ socio-political landscape.
Established in 2018 by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, DDCom was tasked with probing unresolved murders, enforced disappearances, and abductions between January 1, 2012, and November 17, 2018. While it achieved some significant breakthroughs, many questions remain unanswered.
DDCom was created to fulfill a presidential pledge to bring closure to families of the disappeared and murdered.
The commission was initially comprised of five members, but resignations left it with three members by the end of 2019, led by Fareesha Abdulla.
The commission investigated 27 cases, assisted by international experts including the FBI and Western Australia Police.
A notable procedural achievement was the establishment of the first witness protection program in the country.
Murder of Dr. Afrasheem Ali:
Dr. Afrasheem, a parliamentarian and moderate religious scholar, was murdered on October 2, 2012.
DDCom reopened investigations into the case, implicating individuals who had previously been overlooked.
Police identified Hussain Humaam, who was sentenced to death by the courts, as one of the murderers. Azlif Rauf and Ali Shan were also implicated, with Rauf rumored to have died fighting as a militant in the Syrian war.
DDCom also sought charges against Mohamed Mazeed and Saamith Mohamed, but the Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) requested further investigation in both their cases.
Murder of Yameen Rasheed:
Human rights defender and blogger Yameen Rasheed was brutally murdered with over 30 stab wounds on April 23, 2017 in the stairwell of his residence.
Six suspects were tried for the crime; two were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment.
DDCom’s renewed investigation post-trial found links to other murders, including those of Dr. Afrasheem and journalist Ahmed Rilwan.
Enforced disappearance of Ahmed Rilwan:
Journalist Ahmed Rilwan was abducted on August 8, 2014.
After subsequent investigations, DDCom concluded that he had been murdered by an extremist group, his body disposed of at sea.
The commission implicated several high-profile individuals and uncovered conspiracies involving former State and government officials.
DDCom presented its final report on Rilwan’s case in December 2022, confirming his brutal murder and implicating suspects who had joined the Syrian civil war.
Complete Accountability:
While DDCom identified and implicated several individuals, many suspects remain at large or their deaths in conflict zones remain unconfirmed.
Political Interference:
The extent of political interference in these cases is not fully clear. Accusations against high-ranking officials remain contentious and unresolved.
Judicial Outcomes:
Several cases forwarded to the PGO were returned for further investigation, and subsequent court dismissals due to lack of evidence have left many questions unanswered.
Public and Victim Families’ Closure:
Despite DDCom’s efforts, many families of victims continue to seek complete justice and closure, as many findings remain disputed or incomplete.
With the dissolution of DDCom, the Maldives faces the challenge of ensuring that the strides made towards justice do not fade into obscurity. The commission’s work highlighted critical issues in the nation’s justice system and political landscape and its legacy will continue to be a pivotal chapter in the country’s ongoing quest for justice and transparency.
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