Interpol Issues Red Notice for Missing Maldivian Citizen Thasleem Mohamed

Interpol has issued a red notice for 43-year-old Thasleem Mohamed, who went missing while traveling in the Maldives, prompting a criminal investigation into his disappearance.

Maldivian authorities have confirmed that Interpol issued a red notice for Thasleem Mohamed on September 12, 2024. The red notice, typically issued for individuals either wanted for prosecution or to locate missing persons, is an international request to law enforcement in all Interpol member states. Although Thasleem’s red notice is not publicly visible on Interpol’s website, the Maldives Police Service stated that such notices are often restricted to law enforcement agencies rather than being available for public viewing.

This is the second time in the Maldives that a red notice has been issued for a missing person. The first such notice was issued in 2014 in relation to the high-profile disappearance of Maldivian journalist Ahmed Rilwan Abdulla, who was abducted and subsequently murdered, sparking national outcry and international concern.

The police have launched a criminal investigation into Thasleem’s disappearance, citing suspicious elements surrounding the case. Authorities have conducted multiple searches, including diving operations near Finolhu, the location where Tasleem was last reported to have been, but no new evidence has surfaced.

Thasleem's disappearance has raised concerns over potential foul play, though the details remain unclear. The police are continuing their efforts to gather information and coordinate with international partners to resolve the case. The lack of progress in the investigation mirrors the challenges faced during other similar cases in the Maldives, including Rilwan’s.