Minivan News journalist reported missing

A journalist at Minivan News, Ahmed Rilwan Abdulla, 28, has been reported missing.

Rilwan was last seen going to Hulhumale’ on Thursday night, 7 August, after spending time at his family home in Male’. He was wearing a turquoise shirt and black trousers. Rilwan lives alone in an apartment in Hulhumale’.

Maldives Police Service said a search operation was launched after Rilwan’s family filed a missing persons report on Wednesday, six days after he was seen last.

Rilwan’s sister told Sun Online that he would not leave the country without informing the family, and that all his belonging in the apartment in Hulhumale’ have been left intact.

Minivan News has said the paper, and Rilwan himself, have reported on threats made recently against journalists for reporting on gang violence. However, the paper stressed that Rilwan had not received threats over the past few weeks.

“Minivan News urges caution and restraint in speculation regarding Rilwan’s disappearance before more information is available,” said Minivan News.