5-day remand granted in case involving attack on HDC director

A court has remanded a 21-year-old man in custody for five days in connection with the assault of Housing Development Corporation (HDC) Director Ismail Abdul Rahim, commonly known as Issu.

The incident took place on Sunday night in the reclaimed area of Hulhumalé Phase II.

According to Maldives Police Service, the suspect was arrested following the altercation and was presented before a court for a remand hearing on Monday.

The court ordered that he be detained for five days while the investigation continues.

Police said the suspect had been receiving medical treatment for injuries sustained during the incident and was taken into custody after being discharged from hospital.

Ismail also received treatment for injuries sustained in the confrontation. Police said his injuries were not life-threatening and that he was later discharged from hospital.

Authorities have not released details regarding the nature of the injuries suffered by either individual.

The motive behind the incident has not been disclosed, and police said investigations remain ongoing.

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

He was arrested in 2022 along with two other individuals and later faced two charges of aiding an act of terrorism.

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

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

He was appointed as a director of Housing Development Corporation in January 2024.