The parliament committee on National Security Service (241 committee) has retracted the name of Ali 'Sato' Shan from the report prepared and approved by the committee on former Ungoofaaru MP and religious scholar Dr. Afrasheem Ali's murder.
Shan was listed in the report published by the presidential commission investigating Murders and Enforced Disappearances on former MP Dr. Afrasheem Ali's murder as a suspect who carried out the murder. He is closely connected to senior officials of the current government.
Dr. Afrasheem was murdered in the stairwell of his residence on October 2, 2012. The report named Hussain Humam of Henveiru Lobby, and Ali Shan as two perpetrators who attacked and murdered the MP. It further named Shan as one of the key people who planned the attack.
While the presidential commission's report has been forwarded to relevant government authorities and the Parliament, the 241 committee is further assessing the case. The issue has been forwarded to a sub-committee formed from among committee members, which is headed by MP Hassan Latheef.
Although Shan's name was removed, the report prepared and approved by the 241 committee still names the remaining perpetrators who allegedly murdered the MP.
Speaking at a press conference held by the opposition Wednesday night to express their concern on the matter, sub-committee member Hussain Mohamed Latheef said the report was prepared by Hassan Latheef, and the opposition's input was not considered. Shan's name was removed on purpose, he revealed.
While charges were raised on Shan over Afrasheem' s murder, they were later dismissed due to lack of evidence. Shan was fitted with an electronic tag during former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom's administration. However, the government was pressured into removing the authority given to then Home Minister Umar Naseer to fit tags, and the authority was given to a separate committee.
Shan was given employment at Greater Male' Industrial Zone Limited when the current government began administration. While Shan worked as a supervisor at industrial island Thilafushi, he has been suspended since the commission's report was published.
