Early Tuesday, Maldives was shaken by the news headlines of the abduction and murder of a 13-year-old boy.
According to the Police Media official, Police received a report concerning an alleged case of abduction of a 13-year old boy last Sunday. And amid a further investigation, Police discovered the child’s dead body around 2:30 am on Tuesday. The boy’s body, native to Madaveli Island in Gaaf Dhaal atoll, was found stuffed inside a suitcase in the lagoon northeast of Hulhumalé Phase II, a region into which entry is unauthorized.
According to RaajjeMV, an eyewitness had witnessed two men lugging a suitcase towards the restricted area in the suburban extension’s Phase II at around 5 – 5:30 am on Sunday. The eyewitness revealed that they had lost sight of the two men, who arrived in a car and were last seen heading towards the sea.
Police have apprehended two suspects in connection to the kidnapping and murder. Maldives Police Service (MPS) revealed that the court had granted the 27-year-old man’s remand pending sentencing on Tuesday evening upon being presented for their remand hearing. The other suspect, a 17-year-old, has been remanded for 15 days. Local media Mihaaru has alleged that the two individuals were known to be friends with the young victim.
The local media has also reported that the 27-year-old suspect identified as Ibrahim Zihan, native to Landhoo island in Noonu atoll, holds past criminal records and was released recently from jail after completing his sentence in a drug-related case.
Speaking to the press on Tuesday evening, Serious and Organized Crime Head, Chief Inspector of Police Abdulla Rasheed, revealed that Hulhumalé police was informed of a wounded boy in the restricted area Hulhumalé Phase II on June 21, following which officers began searching the region. He also revealed that the police institution had made significant progress in the investigation. Rasheed said they are currently working to find out additional information connected to the case and collect the required evidence before sending the case for trial.
Joining Tuesday’s press, the Deputy Minister of Gender, Family and Social Services Fathmath Yumna revealed that the Child and Family Protection Services had worked with the family of the murdered boy to provide social services to him. As such, she noted that the Child and Family Protection Services worked with the boy’s mother to offer him social support. However, she urged the public and media to take into account what the family is going through and refrain from sharing personal information and ensure the accuracy of the information regarding the case. With this being said, Yumna added that action would be taken under the Child Rights Protection Act if the child’s information is shared with the public. Yumna assures the public that the Child and Family Protection Services will give in their best efforts to cooperate with relevant authorities to bring justice to the brutally murdered boy’s family.
ARC “Advocating the Rights of Children” called for an “immediate” and “transparent” investigation into the abduction and murder of the teenager. In addition, ARC asserted that all forms of violence against children must end immediately, calling for perpetrators of such heinous crimes to be brought to justice with no delay.
The police institution has assured that the heinous crime “is being investigated with utmost diligence.” Authorities have decided to send the boy’s body abroad for a post-mortem examination to identify the cause of death.
Police urged the public to contact them through +960 9911099, +960 3000600, or 1412 to share any information regarding the attained case.
Source: Rajje.Mv
