Breaking News

06/06/07

Reports of another death in Maafushi jail
Male' - 03:45 - Reliable sources have confirmed that Muslih Abbas, 25, was beaten to death in Maafushi jail last night and his body is not being brought to the capital Male'. His Father, Zaithoonimaagey Abbas told DO that he heard about the news and as far as he is concerned his son's dead body is now being brought to Male'. Several people are now waiting near the hospital (IGHM) in Male' along with Muslih's father. Tension has been very high in Maafushi jail over the past 3 days, as we reported earlier. There are reports of other deaths but we are unable to independently verify those reports as yet.

06/06/07

Tension high in Maafushi jail and some inmates have escaped
Male' - 01:06 - Reports are coming that several inmates from Maafushi jail have escaped and some have gone to the populated area of Maafushi jail. There are also reports of a fire there. Also, the residents of Maafushi have reportedly clashed with some inmates. Some sources say that tension has been high in Maafushi jail for the past 3 days due to lack of basic services. Golhaa Force is reported on the way but have not reached there. Latest reports say that parts of the jail is now on fire and more than 12 inmates may have escaped already.

07/06/07

Muslih was tortured eyewitness say
Male' - 14:35 - According to eyewitness accounts and these photographs taken of Muslih today at his home, it is clear that this young man is another victim of the systematic torture and abuse that is rampant in Maldives jails. Although the authorities are trying to spread their propaganda saying that the victim had swallowed after breaking into the pharmacy in the jail. Sources in jail have denied that there was a break-in. The other question is, if Police say that he had swallowed medicine, they should know what kind of medicine or mixture he took. Some local reports say that they had taken too many tablets of Paracetamol, in which case Muslih could only die of liver failure and not by heart failure (according to senior British Medical Consultant) as concluded by the local doctors. Eyewitness also said there was blood in his left eye and most injuries were on the left side of his body.

Male' - 14:30 - There are reports that a 3rd person has just been brought to IGMH for treatment. Niyaz, who is the son of late Major Hulhuley Moosa, is also reportedly in a critical condition. Unconfirmed reports say that as many as 30 people were badly beaten by the police and the army in last nights assault on prisoners in Maafushi jail.

07/06/07

Reports of several inmates breaking free from jail and crime rate rising in Male'

Male' - Confirmed reports say that several inmates, running into almost a hundred may have escaped from Maafushi jail over the past 24 hours and already there are reports of petty crimes, burglaries and even revange attacks. "My friend told on a drug dealer some months back, he escaped today and the first thing he did was come and attack me and my family", said Aminath. An unusual number of burglaries and theft have been reported today. Over the last 24 hours, there has been no proper security in Maafushi jail and some inmates have in fact travelled on chartered speedboats to Male'. Crime rate is expected to rise over the coming days. Unconfirmed reports say that the inmates have not been fed all day.