South-Hithadhoo MP Ali Nizar has submitted an emergency motion to the Parliament seeking a free and fair investigation into the brutal murder of social media activist and blogger Yameen Rasheed.

The motion, submitted in accordance with article 145 of the Parliament Rules of Procedure, stated that it can be considered that police were negligent as the death threats against the 29-year-old blogger went ignored.

It also highlighted that police have failed to take necessary action while lawmakers, political figures and media personnel have also been receiving such threats.

The motion also stated that it is doubtful that police will be able to carry out a fair investigation into the murder of Rasheed.

It has been almost five years since the brutal murder of religious scholar and MP Dr. Afrasheem Ali, almost three years since the abduction of journalist Ahmed Rilwan, but police have not been able to solve the cases, the motion said.

Meanwhile, Rasheed’s family has also called for an independent investigation, with the involvement of international experts.

The 29-year-old, from S. Feydhoo, was discovered near the staircase of his home in Male’ in the early hours of Sunday morning with multiple stab wounds to the chest, neck and head. He was rushed to state-run Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital after being discovered by a person living in the house, but died shortly after.

Since the country woke up to the shocking news of Rasheed’s death, it has been in mourning. Various political leaders, political parties, activists, the media, the public, as well as international community are grieving Rasheed’s death. He has been described as a brave, free speech and human rights activist.

He was a close friend of missing journalist Ahmed Rilwan, who also received several threats before his disappearance more than two-and-a-half years ago.