Malaysian police help sought to take Yumnu's testimony as family refuse cooperation

Maldivian authorities have sought the assistance of Malaysian police to take the testimony of Hawwa Yumnu Rasheed, who sustained serious injuries after falling from a building in Male’ after repeated attempts to secure the cooperation of Yumnu’s family were unsuccessful, police said.

In a statement, police said they had attempted to coordinate an interview with Yumnu while she was receiving medical treatment in Malaysia, but her family had refused to facilitate communication.

Two officers, including a police medical doctor, were dispatched to Malaysia shortly after Yumnu was flown out for further treatment, but have so far been unable to engage with her directly.

“The family has not shared any medical updates with the police,” the statement read.

“Even when Yumnu was transferred to a different hospital in Malaysia, we were not informed.”

Police say they are now working with Malaysian counterparts in an effort to acquire necessary information through official legal channels.

Despite their reluctance to cooperate with the investigation, Yumnu’s family has spoken to the media about her condition.

In interviews with Raajje TV and Channel 13, Yumnu’s sister challenged the police narrative, claiming the apartment where the incident occurred was not unfamiliar to Yumnu or her companions that night, contradicting police suggestions that the location was unfamiliar to them.

Yumn's sister said that Yumnu had confidently asserted that she had not fallen from the building on her own.

'The last thing Yumn said to me is... will there be justice? Are you sure justice will be served?"

Yumn's family also alleged that the Police investigation in to the case has many flaws in it, with the CCTV footage that they showed in a press conference also being heavily edited, misrepresenting events.

After having been found on the roof with severe injuries, Yumn was first treated in the Intensive Care Unit at IGMH. Later she was taken to Malaysia for additional treatment with partial funds from NSPA, and the remaining being raised from the public through social media fundraisers.

Raudh Ahmed Zilal, the man who was with Yumnu on the night of the incident, has since been arrested and remanded in custody.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu established a special presidential commission to oversee the investigation, following widespread criticism of the police's handling of the case and a perceived loss of public confidence.