Daudh Ahmed Zilal, Under Secretary for Digital Strategy at the President’s Office, has been dismissed following findings by the Special Presidential Commission investigating the April 18 incident in Malé, in which Yumnu Rasheed was found collapsed on the rooftop of a building in Henveiru.

The Chief Spokesperson at the President’s Office, Heena Waleed, confirmed the dismissal on Wednesday. She stated that the decision was based on the commission’s conclusion that Daudh had knowingly provided false testimony during the investigation.

According to the commission, Daudh met his brother, Raudh Ahmed Zilal, at around 5:38am on the morning of the incident. In his police statement, Daudh claimed Raudh had not informed him about Yumnu’s fall and had entered the residence, H. Maaira, on his own. He also stated that he had not contacted any senior Government officials regarding the incident.

However, the report contradicted this account. Two of Daudh’s acquaintances testified that Daudh had checked on Raudh and accompanied him into H. Maaira. The commission further found that Daudh had communicated multiple times throughout the day with Ali Ihusaan, Minister of Homeland Security and Technology.

The commission concluded there were significant discrepancies between Daudh’s police statement and the account he provided to the commission, establishing that he had knowingly given false testimony.