Ismail Abdul Raheem (Isu), who was arrested in connection with the deaths of journalist Ahmed Rilwan and blogger Yameen Rasheed, has been released.
Adhadhu has learned that he was released today with a tag or electronic device attached to his ankle. He would not be able to leave home except in certain circumstances and his passport was held to prevent him from travelling out of the country.
The reason for releasing Ismail, who was charged with serious crimes, is unclear.
He was charged with aiding an act of terrorism along with other terrorism charges over involvement in the murders of Rilwan and Yameen after calling the latter anti-Islamic.
He was previously arrested on suspicion of assault, terrorism and property damage. He was also arrested near the Turkish border in 2015 while allegedly trying to enter Syria to fight with a militant group.
Minivan News journalist Rilwan was abducted on August 7, 2014. The presidential commission on deaths and disappearances said at a press conference in September 2019 that Rilwan was killed and his body was sunk in the sea by Maldivians who belonged to the terrorist groups ISIS and Al-Qaeda.
Rilwan was killed in the name of religion after the group judged him to be an apostate, the presidential commission said. Rilwan was killed while he was reciting the shahadah [Islamic profession of faith], according to the commission.
Blogger Yameen was killed on April 23, 2017 while he was campaigning for justice over Rilwan's abduction. Two suspects were convicted over his murder.
