17th APRIL 2007

Friends of Maldives (FOM) condemn the brutality of the Maldivian Police Service and the handling of the murder of Hussein Salah by the Government of Maldives

• The murder of Hussein Salah and the attempt by the Maldives police and Government to tamper with the investigation
• Arrest of dozens of innocent people following the peaceful vigil at cemetry
• The arrest of Miadhu journalist, Ibrahim Mohamed
• The police brutality on MDP chairman Mohamed Nasheed and MDP Shadow Defence Minister Ameen Faisal
• The use of State media in the cover-up

FOM calls on the Government of Maldives to:

• Start a transparent investigation of the murder of Hussein Salah and ensure those responsible are brought to justice. 
• Immediately release all prisoners including Hussein Salah's relative
• Give the family the permission to carry the autopsy as they wish
• To give all assistance to the investigations of the Maldives Human Rights Commission.
• Cease using state media to cover up this sort of criminal activity and vilify the victim
• Cease from harassing journalists while they report on critical situations

Hussein Salah, 27 was arrested on drug charges on the 9th of April from the southern atoll Addu and was found dead on Sunday the 15th of April in the sea. His head and body show clear marks of beatings which according to the family are the results of police brutality as the victim was still in custody. The police denied the allegation and stated that the prisoner had been released on the 13th. The Maldives authorities first stated there are no visible injuries on the body despite pictures of the victim published on Dhivehi Observer showing severe head injuries resulting from beatings (note: the pictures are very graphic):

http://www.dhivehiobserver.com/breakingnews/15042007_Salah_death/Salah_death_1504200711828.htm

According to the Maldivian Detainees Network who went to see the body at the cemetery on the 15th  “About 500 people were gathered inside and on the surrounding roads to view the body […] The people were surprisingly peaceful and quiet in and around the cemetery. However the police arrived quite suddenly by truckloads and started using force to disperse the crowd”. Maldivian Detainees Network witnessed 15 arrests at the time.

A journalist working for the state newspaper Miadhu, Ibrahim Mohamed has been arrested while covering the events (he has now been released).  MDP chairman Mohamed Nasheed (Anni) and other MDP leaders such as Ameen Faisal and Colonel Nasheed (formerly MDP) were beaten and arrested. According to MDP statement Mohamed Nasheed “suffered injuries to his chest and ribs and was having difficulty in breathing […]More than a dozen other innocent bystanders still remain in detention, including MDP Shadow Defence Minister, Ameen Faisal. Police have refused to release the names of those detained."

    Mohamed Nasheed (Anni) punched by policeman

Friends of Maldives (FOM) is alarmed at such police brutality following the report by Mr John Robinson, former British Police Superintendent commissioned by the Government of Maldives to improve the Maldives Police Service. Mr Robinson recently wrote to Minivan News : “Before I left Male' at the beginning of January this year many of my recommendations had already been implemented and I am confident that the remainder will also be which, in my view, is a measure of the real commitment for improvement which exists within the Maldives Police Service.”

In light of the recent events, the Maldivian public has a right to know exactly what recommendations have been implemented and which recommendations the police have agreed to implement.

FOM send deepest condolences to the family of Hussein Salah.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Friends of Maldives

E: enquiries@friendsofmaldives.org
W: www.friendsofmaldives.org

NOTES TO EDITORS

Friends of Maldives – www.friendsofmaldives.org

Friends of Maldives (FOM) is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) dedicated to the protection and promotion of human rights in the Maldives. Based in the UK and established in 2003.