Raudh Zilaal, the only publicly named suspect in the high-profile case involving 21-year-old Yumn, was released from custody at 11 a.m. on Thursday, 22 May 2025—only to be re-arrested and placed back in remand around 4 p.m. the same day.
Zilaal had initially been arrested in April in connection with the incident involving Yumn, who remains in critical condition and is undergoing treatment in Malaysia. His release on Thursday morning came just before the High Court was scheduled to begin hearing an appeal against his most recent remand order. Following his release, the appeal hearing was withdrawn. However, later that same day, a new remand order was issued based on what police described as “developments in the investigation.”
According to the Maldives Police Service, Zilaal was present with Yumn on the stairs of H. Fentenoy house on Buruzu Magu in Malé at the time of the incident. Police also confirmed that he tested positive for cannabis. Initial reports from police stated that Zilaal was the only individual involved in the incident and that he was arrested for failure to cooperate with investigators.
The second arrest warrant reportedly included additional details, stating that there had been a dispute between Zilaal and Yumn on the night of the incident. It also noted that Zilaal informed another person about Yumn’s fall, which investigators have treated as a key detail in the timeline of events.
Since his initial arrest on 25 April, Zilaal has been remanded five times:
● 25 April – Five-day remand granted (order later released)
● 30 April – Ten-day remand granted (order released)
● 10 May – Five-day remand granted (order not made public)
● 16 May – Twenty-day remand granted
● 22 May – Re-arrested and remanded again following new court order
The circumstances of Zilaal’s release and swift re-arrest have sparked renewed public scrutiny of the case and the judicial process. Legal experts have questioned the timing and transparency of the court proceedings, while activists have raised concerns about potential due process violations and political pressure surrounding the case.
The Maldives Police Service has maintained that the investigation is ongoing and that all actions are being taken in accordance with legal procedures. However, the shifting narrative and multiple remand orders have left many in the public demanding greater clarity and accountability.
The case remains one of the most closely followed legal matters in the country this year, symbolising deeper tensions around institutional trust, gender-based violence, and rule of law in the Maldives.
