A suspect in the murders of journalist Ahmed Rilwan Abdulla and blogger Yameen Rasheed has been appointed to a senior position in the Housing Development Corporation (HDC).

Adhadhu understands that Ismail Abdul Raheem (Isu) was appointed to the post of Deputy Director of Hulhumale' Operations at HDC.

It is not clear when Isu began reporting to work. However, social media posts show that he met with Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed on May 19 during the minister's meeting with officials from companies and institutions.

HDC declined to comment on the matter.

Isu was arrested on June 26, 2022, as a key suspect in the abduction and murder of Rilwan and the murder of Yameen.

However, after being tagged, Isu was released in July, 2023. In November, 2023, the charges against him were withdrawn and the tag was removed.

Isu has previously been arrested on charges of violence, terrorism and damage to property. He was also arrested near the Turkish border in 2015 on suspicions of trying to join the war in Syria.

Rilwan, a journalist at Minivan News, went missing on August 7, 2014. Blogger Yameen was killed on April 23, 2017 while he was fighting for justice for his friend Rilwan.