The United Nations called on the government of the Maldives to carry out a full investigation into the brutal murder of social media activist and blogger, Yameen Rasheed.
Yameen Rasheed, 29, of Addu atoll Feydhoo island was found dead with 14 stab wounds by the staircase of his house in capital Male in the early hours of Sunday morning. While no arrests have been made yet over the murder, Police on Tuesday declared in a press conference that they have identified the main suspects and released photographs of two men.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Abdulla Nawaz also stated that Police have obtained important evidence with regards to the crime.
In a statement, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, noted that Yameen Rasheed had received numerous death threats prior to his murder but he had had to contact Police numerous times to officially register the cases.
The High Commissioner declared that the state is responsible for establishing freedom of speech to defend journalism and human rights without fear.
The statement further highlighted that Yameen Rasheed was killed amidst political unrest in the Maldives where several politicians of the opposition are being charged and accused of various offences. UN also noted that Yameen is the third individual from media to be attacked.
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