HDC director injured in assault in Hulhumalé

Ismail Abdul Raheem, a director at the Housing Development Corporation (HDC), was injured in an assault involving a sharp object in Hulhumalé on Sunday night.

According to Maldives Police Service, the incident occurred in the reclaimed land area of Hulhumalé Phase II.

Police said two men sustained injuries during the altercation.

The victims were identified as a 21-year-old man and a 34-year-old man. Authorities have not officially released their identities, although it has been confirmed that one of the injured individuals is Ismail Abdul Raheem, who is commonly known as Issu.

Police said both men were taken for medical treatment and that hospital officials have confirmed neither suffered life-threatening injuries.

No arrests have been made in connection with the case so far.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Ismail previously came to public attention in connection with investigations into the murders of journalist Ahmed Rilwan and blogger Yameen Rasheed.

He was among three individuals arrested in June 2022 during the investigation. The state later filed two charges of aiding an act of terrorism against him.

In November 2023, the Criminal Court dismissed the charges, citing insufficient evidence.

Before the dismissal of the case, Ismail had been released from detention and placed under house arrest with electronic monitoring.

He was appointed to a management position at Housing Development Corporation in January 2024.

Police have not released further details regarding the circumstances of Sunday's incident.