PG charges Raud over woman's fall
The charge carries a basic sentence of one month and six days in prison.
The Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) has filed charges against Raud Ahmed Zilal in connection with the fall of Hawwa Yumnu Rasheed from the ninth floor of a building in Malé on 18 April.
Raud was initially arrested on 25 April, six days after the incident. The police forwarded the case to the PGO on 25 May.
According to the PGO, Raud has been charged with failing to provide assistance to a person in need without reasonable cause. The charge carries a basic sentence of one month and six days in prison.
The PGO stated that Raud was aware that Yumnu had fallen onto the roof of H. Mitaz House from the ninth floor of H. Fentenoy House but did not assist her or inform the relevant authorities.
At the time of the incident, Raud was reportedly with Yumnu inside H. Fentenoy House on Buruzu Magu. She fell while inside the premises. Police confirmed that Raud tested positive for cannabis.
Initial police findings suggested no involvement of any other individual in the fall. Raud was arrested for non-cooperation with the investigation.
Details disclosed in a second arrest warrant indicated there had been a dispute between Raud and Yumnu on the night of the incident. The order stated that Raud had informed someone that Yumnu had fallen.
Following media coverage of the second warrant, subsequent arrest-related court sessions have been held in private. The Criminal Court cited Article 42 of the Constitution in support of closed hearings. This article outlines three conditions under which trials may be held in secret:
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To uphold societal moral standards, preserve public order, or prevent threats to national security.
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To protect the interests of children or victims of criminal offences.
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To ensure that justice is not hindered by public trial procedures.
Yumnu’s family held a press conference after she regained consciousness, stating that Yumnu had said she did not fall voluntarily and that others were present at the time of the incident besides Raud.
Police, however, said that the family did not cooperate in facilitating Yumnu’s official statement. As a result, they are now seeking assistance from Malaysian authorities to obtain her testimony.
