Opposition aligned Raajje TV on Tuesday issued a formal apology over its online news edition featured an article with a horrifying image of renowned local blogger and social media activist Yameen Rasheed hours after he was brutally murdered.
In a statement, the station said the image was published online to bring to light the threat level in the Maldives and push the authorities to deliver swift justice to the victim's family.
While noting that the image had been circulated on social media before it was published by Raajje TV, the station however accepted the public censure over its actions, the statement said.
The station also condemned the threats its staff have faced since the incident but vowed to continue its coverage of Yameen's murder until the perpetrators are brought to justice.
The article had carried the ghastly image with a viewer discretionary, but it sparked public outrage forcing the website to remove the article shortly after. Raajje TV had said the article was removed at the request of Yameen's family. But for many, the damage had already been done, and the opposition aligned media outlet was subject to intense public criticism for its lack of sensitivity and empathy for the victim's family.
The police already have a total of eight people in custody in connection to the case. They have also slapped travel bans on several other people who believed to be connected to the gruesome murder of the blogger.
The last two arrests in relation to Yameen’s murder were made on Monday.
Further, they have also sent forensic evidence abroad to be analysed by foreign experts. This move came after the victim’s family had urged the police and the government to seek foreign aid in the investigation.
The police identified suspects involved in the murder through a series of CCTV footage and had officially announced a manhunt.
