Following reports of armed MNDF personnel actively patrolling the streets of capital Male', AVAS has learnt that the armed forces are aiding an ongoing police operation.
The police commenced a search operation on Tuesday night to effect a search warrant obtained by the Presidential Commission on Enforced Murders and Disappearance, regarding the murder of Miniwan News journalist Ahmed Rilwan. While it was speculated that the armed forces were conducting their own operation, it has come to light that MNDF is working jointly with the police to ensure safety during the police operation.
During Tuesday's operation, five homes were searched in Male' and Addu city. However, no arrests were made. While the operation is still ongoing, the police continue to search places of interest.
The investigation into Rilwan's murder has progressed, and a draft report on his case was publicized by the commission. The report revealed that Rilwan was abducted and killed by a extremist religious group affiliated with Al-Qaeda. President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih stated that his administration is working closely alongside the Prosecutor General’s Office, the Attorney General's Office and national security services, including the Maldives Police Service and the Maldives National Defence Force, to ascertain immediate action following investigations from the Commission on Deaths and Disappearances.
