Court conceals Raud's remand orders

The Criminal Court has issued two remand orders for Raud Ahmed Zilal in connection with the fall of Hawwa Yumnu Rasheed, yet has kept both orders from public view — a move that has raised public concern about transparency in the high-profile case.

Raud was arrested following the April 18 incident in which Yumnu fell from the ninth flooer of H. Fentenoy in Male’. He was reportedly the only person with her at the time. According to police, Raud tested positive for cannabis and was arrested for failing to cooperate with investigators.

The court initially published the first two remand decisions — granting five days on April 25 and then 10 more days on April 30. However, subsequent remands, including five days on May 10 and 20 more days last Thursday, have not been made public.

The Criminal Court confirmed that it had opted to hold Raud’s remand hearings in secrecy under Article 42 of the Constitution, which permits closed hearings under three conditions: to preserve public morals and national security, to protect victims or children involved in cases, and to prevent obstruction of justice.

According to the second public remand order, there had been a “dispute” between Raud and Yumnu on the night of the incident. It also stated that Raud had informed someone that Yumnu had fallen.

However, Yumnu’s family recently held a press conference asserting that Yumnu herself had said four other individuals were present in the house that night.

Yumnu had reportedly been at Ma. Maandhooge Dhekunuge — the family home of Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen — before heading to Fentenoyge. She had attended a party there. The police were criticised for not testing partygoers for drugs and for initially withholding the name of the house, which added to suspicions of possible influence on the investigation.

Minister Ameen denied any involvement, stating he had no connection to the party and had not interfered with the investigation.