Isu’s attacker remanded in custody for five days

A 21-year-old man accused of assaulting Ismail Abdul Rahman (Isu), a director at the Housing Development Corporation (HDC), has been remanded in custody for five days.

In a media statement last night, the Police said an altercation in the Farukolhufushi area of Hulhumalé Phase II was reported to the authority at approximately 6:37pm that evening.

Both Isu and the alleged attacker sustained injuries during the incident and received treatment at Hulhumalé Hospital. The Police, citing medical officials, said neither individual suffered serious injuries.

Following treatment, both Isu and the 21-year-old suspect were discharged from the hospital. The attacker was subsequently taken into police custody in connection with the alleged assault.

According to the Police, the attacker has been remanded in custody for five days upon presentation before the court.

The case is under further investigation.

Notably, in 2022, Isu was among three individuals arrested in connection with the disappearance of journalist Ahmed Rilwan Abdulla and the murder of blogger Yameen Rasheed. One month later, he was charged with two counts of aiding an act of terrorism.

However, the charges against him were dismissed by the court in 2023 due to insufficient evidence. At the time, he had been released to house arrest under electronic monitoring.

Isu was appointed as a Director of HDC in January 2024, shortly after President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu assumed office.