Malé, Maldives – Raud Mohamed Zilaal, the main suspect in the incident involving the fall of 21-year-old Hawwa Yumna Rasheed from a 9-storey building, has been remanded in custody for five days. His arrest on Thursday evening came five days after the incident, amid growing public outrage and mounting pressure on authorities.

Yumna, who remains in critical condition, fell from the ninth floor of a building in Malé last Friday night. CCTV footage released by police shows her with Raud—engaging in intimate behavior and appearing heavily intoxicated. Both tested positive for cannabis, and police suspect other substances may have been used.

Youth-led protests have continued for a third night, with demonstrators accusing police of conducting a flawed investigation. Many believe authorities attempted to protect Raud and his associates by framing the incident as a suicide. Protesters have also been calling for the resignation of the Police Commissioner and relevant ministers.

In response, Police Commissioner Ali Shujau held a press conference on Thursday, assuring that the investigation will be conducted fairly and without influence. Despite the statement, many protesters remain unconvinced and continue to demand full accountability.