The Presidential Commission Investigating Murders and Enforced Disappearances has made several serious allegations against former Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed in their report on the murder of former Ungoofaaru and religious scholar Dr. Afrasheem Ali.
Dr. Afrasheem Ali was found murdered in the stairwell of his residence on October 2, 2012.
The presidential commission investigated his murder and forwarded their findings in the form of a report last week to President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, the Prosecutor General and the Anti-Terrorism Unit. While the summary report on Dr. Afrasheem's murder was read out by Speaker Mohamed Nasheed during Sunday's parliamentary sitting, the Speaker said the report was forwarded to the parliament by the President's Office.
According to the report, Dr. Afrasheem's murder was orchestrated by a Jihadist group operating in he Maldives. The report named Azlif Rauf of H. Hilton, Hussain Humaam of H. Lobby, Ali 'Sato' Shan, and a minor as those who carried out the murder.
While Humaam has already been convicted of the murder, Ali Shan could not be convicted due to lack of evidence.
The report identified two individuals named Mazeed and Saamith as two people who belonged to the extremist organization that planned the murder. The report said Mazeed was involved in the Sultan Park bombing incident that took place in 2007 and said Mazeed traveled to Pakistan and met with senior members of Al-Qaeda following the bombing. Mazeed is accused of carrying out Al-Qaeda's work and spreading their ideologies and propaganda in Maldives.
The report further named several individuals who spoke on public platforms in a manner that could incite hatred against Dr. Afrasheem. The report highlighted the Salaf Organization, and noted that a Youtube video posted by 'Habeys TV' in 2011 described Dr. Afrasheem as a dangerous individual.
The report said while several politicians were aware of Azlif's activities and involvement, political figures had attempted to cover up his activities.
The report further said an unknown individual sent a text message to Dr. Shaheem which read 'it is most desirable that Dr. Afrashim reverts, and asks for forgiveness in front of the media, and repents for his actions", which was forwarded to Dr. Afrasheem by Dr. Shaheem.
The statement given to the commission by Dr. Shaheem said while Dr. Afrasheem went to the Islamic Center the day before his death, Dr. Afrasheem did not go to the Islamic Centre on his request. It further said that Shaheem was unable to name the person who sent him the text message, as he claimed he could not to remember who sent the message.
However, the communication between the unknown individual and Dr. Shaheem indicate that Dr. Afrasheem went to the Islamic Center, and went on a TV Program the night of his murder on the request of then Islamic Minister Shaheem.
While the messages prove that Dr. Shaheem was aware that Dr. Afrasheem was called on to go live on the TV program to issue a public apology for his 'actions', and to announce his repentance, Shaheem had also requested to hold a press conference at the Islamic Ministry if the TV program was unsuccessful, said the report.
Dr. Afrasheem was brutally murdered around 1.30 am when he returned home after going on the TV program in question.
According to the report, seven individuals in addition to Alif, Humam, Sato and the minor were involved in executing the murder of Dr. Afrasheem. All persons involved in executing the murder left to Syria the morning after the murder, said the report.
Speaker of the Parliament Mohamed Nasheed noted that Dr. Shaheem had left the country the same morning.
Former Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed
