A private investigation commissioned by the Maldives Democracy Network has implicated gangs -- possibly motivated by religious extremism -- in the disappearance of Minivan News journalist Ahmed Rilwan 45 days ago.
Discounting theories of voluntary disappearance and suicide, the investigation -- conducted by Glasgow-based Athena Intelligence and Security – concluded that Rilwan was likely abducted.
The report confirmed evidence of possible “hostile surveillance” at the terminal conducted by two known affiliates of the Malé-based Kuda Henveiru gang. One of the suspects is identified as Ahmed Shiran Saeed.
Rilwan was previously an openly conservative Islamist and a well-regarded member of a group known as Dot, but is now a known advocate of religious tolerance and an open critic of government policy and radical Islam, the report stated.
In July, Rilwan told his friends he was being followed regularly by “people who looked like Islamists,” and regularly “received clear threats” to his life due to his online activity.
The report stated that a link between gang activity and Rilwan’s abduction was a “strong possibility”.
The report noted increased radical activity among members of three main gangs in Malé -- Bosnia, Kuda Henveiru, and Buru -- and claimed gang members have participated in attacks against individuals they deem “un-Islamic”.
Government ministers are said to pay gangs to intimidate dissidents, the report said, though it discounted allegations that Rilwan may have been targeted due to his alleged investigation into a corruption case involving Tourism Minister Ahmed Adeeb.
The report called on the police to further investigate the activities of extremist groups, gangs, and politicians in Rilwan’s disappearance.
The Maldives Police Service has yet to suggest any possible theories or lines of inquiry being followed, last week noting that no “concrete evidence” could be found between Rilwan and a reported abduction outside his apartment shortly after his last sighting.
According to the report, an online Jihadi group called Bilad Al- Sham made a clear and unambiguous threat to Rilwan’s life shortly before his disappearance in which they stated his “days were short”.
The group’s founder Yameen Naeem has reportedly been killed while fighting in the Syrian civil war this month.
In the week prior to Rilwan’s disappearance, the group on its Facebook site said they “had taken a break during Ramadan” but had returned to their campaign against those perceived as mocking Islam.
A friend of Rilwan’s told the investigators he had received information on 4 August that the Dot group was targeting individuals advocating against religious extremists, and had a list of 400 people who “need to go”.
Full Story: MDN investigation implicates radicalised gangs in Rilwan’s disappearance
Source:Minivan News
