News Desk
MALE’, Maldives — A presidential commission investigating the incident involving Hawwa Yumnu Rasheed, a 21-year-old woman who fell from a ninth-floor stairwell window of a residential building in Henveiru on April 18, 2025, has concluded that the fall was likely accidental, with no evidence of deliberate harm or suicide. Rasheed survived the fall, sustaining serious injuries, and was flown to Malaysia for medical treatment. The report, released by the President’s Office, detailed the circumstances surrounding Rasheed’s fall from the building known as H. Fentenoy, highlighted significant deficiencies in the police investigation, and raised concerns about inappropriate actions by senior government officials. The findings underscore systemic issues in law enforcement protocols and ministerial oversight, prompting recommendations for reform.
Appointed by President Dr. Mohammed Muizzu, the special commission was chaired by Dr. Mohamed Munawwar, a former Attorney General, and included Brigadier General (Ret.) Ahmed Mohammed, Dr. Moosa Murad, Ms. Jabeen Mohamed, and Ms. Aminath Enaas. The commission’s comprehensive investigation sought to clarify the events leading to Rasheed’s fall and injuries, amid public speculation and concerns about foul play. The report’s conclusions aim to provide closure while emphasizing accountability and procedural improvements. The report was finalized after the commission’s 40th sitting, having reviewed 49 audiovisual documents, 81 police evidence files and documents, 14 CCTV footages, and 12 additional documents, reflecting the thoroughness of the inquiry.
Findings on the Incident
The commission’s investigation focused on the events of April 18, 2025, when Rasheed fell from the ninth-floor stairwell window of H. Fentenoy. Efforts to obtain a statement from Rasheed’s family were unsuccessful. The family declined to cooperate, disconnecting calls when contacted. Rasheed’s brother, Mumin Mohamed, explicitly instructed the commission not to contact their mother, stating the family’s unwillingness to engage. The family also expressed distrust in the commission’s findings, alleging inconsistencies in the police narrative and calling for an independent investigation. Rasheed was accompanied that night by Raud Ahmed Zilal of Eriyadu, who provided a statement to the commission but claimed he could not remember what happened. The commission thoroughly examined whether Zilal intentionally pushed Rasheed from the stairwell window but concluded that such a scenario was unlikely. The report outlined four key factors supporting this finding:
- There was no evidence of a quarrel or animosity between Zilal and Ms. Rasheed that night, and Ms. Rasheed climbed to the ninth floor of the building voluntarily, without any coercion.
- Neither security footage nor witness testimonies indicated that Zilal brought Ms. Rasheed to the building with intent to harm her.
- After Rasheed’s fall, Zilal actively searched for her, called others for assistance, and repeatedly checked various locations in an effort to locate her.
- Medical reports and witness testimonies confirmed no injuries on Rasheed’s body beyond those consistent with her collision with the roof below, and there were no signs of force or assault.
Based on these findings, the commission determined that Rasheed’s fall was likely accidental, with no other individuals implicated. Both Rasheed and Zilal were under the influence of alcohol, consumed voluntarily, on the night of the incident. The commission held both parties responsible for the consequences of their actions. Additionally, it found Zilal negligent due to his inability to recall events and his behavior prior to the fall, which hindered the investigation.
Involvement of Presidential Undersecretary
The commission scrutinized the role of Daud Ahmed, a presidential undersecretary and cousin of Zilal, who contacted Home Minister Ali Ihusan multiple times during the police investigation. Discrepancies were noted between Ahmed’s statements to the police and those provided to the commission, suggesting he may have provided false information. Security footage corroborated Zilal’s efforts to locate Rasheed after her fall, but Zilal claimed no memory of events after meeting Ahmed and his associates that night. Inconsistencies were also found in the statements of Ahmed and his associates who interacted with Zilal that day.
Ahmed denied discussing the case with senior government officials or receiving details from Zilal about the incident. However, the commission confirmed Ahmed’s communications with Minister Ihusan on the day of the incident and noted that Ahmed escorted Zilal home afterward. These interactions raised questions about potential interference, though no direct evidence of obstruction was found.
Conduct of Home Minister and Other Officials
The commission investigated potential interference by Home Minister Ali Ihusan and Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen in the police investigation. Minister Ihusan visited the crime scene, took photographs, and examined the area—actions the commission deemed beyond his constitutional and statutory responsibilities under the Police Act. Such involvement risked compromising the integrity of the investigation, prompting the commission to recommend the establishment of clear protocols to govern ministerial conduct in active police cases.
A phone call from Minister Ameen during a live police press conference was also examined. The commission found this action inappropriate but concluded it did not directly influence the investigation’s outcome. These instances highlighted the need for stricter guidelines to prevent officials from overstepping their authority in law enforcement matters.
Police Investigation Deficiencies
The commission identified several significant lapses in the police investigation, which compromised the thoroughness of the inquiry:
- The investigating officer was notified by the command center one hour after the incident was reported, arriving only after the crime scene officer had already collected evidence, resulting in incomplete documentation.
- Patrol officers failed to adequately secure the crime scene, allowing potential evidence to be overlooked.
- Sergeant Azhad Hassan Manik, the crime scene officer, did not process all relevant areas, including the seventh, eighth, and ninth floors of H. Fentenoy and the roof of an adjacent building, Mitaz ge, in accordance with police protocols.
- Subsequent police visits to the scene that evening omitted inspection of Mitaz ge’s roof and interior, both of which were significant to the investigation.
These deficiencies underscored broader issues in police procedure. The commission recommended retraining officers on standard operating procedures and conducting a thorough investigation into the negligence to prevent recurrence.
The presidential commission concluded that Hawwa Yumnu Rasheed’s fall from the ninth-floor stairwell window of H. Fentenoy on April 18, 2025, was likely accidental, influenced by her intoxication and behavior that night. No evidence supported claims of intentional harm or suicide. The report emphasized accountability for Rasheed and Zilal’s actions, given their voluntary alcohol consumption. It also called for enhanced police training to address investigative shortcomings and the establishment of clear protocols to prevent improper ministerial involvement in future investigations. The findings aim to resolve public concerns about Rasheed’s fall while highlighting the need for systemic reforms in the Maldives’ law enforcement and governmental oversight.
