Police release Raud in woman's fall probe; says PG request
The release followed a request by the Prosecutor General’s Office, to which the case has now been forwarded for further action.
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Raud Ahmed Zilal, who was arrested in connection with the fall of Hawwa Yumnu Rasheed from the ninth floor of a building in Malé on 18 April, has been released from police custody.
According to the Maldives Police Service, the release on Monday followed a request by the Prosecutor General’s Office, to which the case has now been forwarded for further action.
Raud was arrested on 25 April, six days after the incident. As of last Tuesday, it had been one month since his arrest. If the investigation had not been extended, the period for holding him without charges would have expired.
The police have requested the Prosecutor General’s Office to file charges against Raud. According to the initial arrest warrant, Raud is accused of drug use and failing to assist a person in need.
Raud was reportedly present with Yumnu at the time of the incident. Both individuals were on the stairwell of H. Fentenoy house on Buruzu Magu before she fell onto the roof of an adjacent warehouse. Police stated that Raud tested positive for cannabis.
Initial police statements indicated that no one other than Raud was directly involved in the fall. He was subsequently arrested for allegedly failing to cooperate with the investigation.
A second arrest warrant stated that there had been a dispute between Raud and Yumnu on the night of the incident. The warrant also noted that Raud had informed another individual that Yumnu had fallen.
Following the publication of this information, the Criminal Court decided to keep subsequent arrest warrants and hearings confidential. The court cited Article 42 of the Constitution, which allows proceedings to be held in secret under specific circumstances. These include: preserving societal morals or peace; protecting the interests of children or victims; or avoiding obstacles to the administration of justice.
After regaining consciousness, Yumnu reportedly shared details of the incident with her family. In a press conference, the family stated that she did not fall voluntarily and claimed that individuals other than Raud were present at the time.
However, police stated that the family has not cooperated in arranging for Yumnu to give a formal statement. As Yumnu is currently abroad, the Maldives Police Service is seeking the assistance of Malaysian authorities to obtain her testimony.
