The Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) has requested the Prosecutor General to press charges against two police offers in relation to the death of Ahmed Ath’har, Sh. Milandhoo, who died while in police custody.
Ath’har was arrested on August 29 for holding a woman hostage and threatening her at knife point. Following his arrest, he was detained Dhoonidhoo jail, where he was discovered hanging in his cell on September 1. He was immediately brought to the main government hospital, India Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) in Male’ at 7.25 pm for medical treatment. He passed away while receiving treatment at IGMH on September 2, 4:08 pm.
Following his death, Ath’har’s body was taken to India where a postmortem was performed. The police said the post mortem’s findings and autopsy report confirmed that Ath’har had died due to hanging himself. His body was returned to Male’ and buried on September 8.
Speaking to AVAS, HRCM’s Senior Media Officer Ali Zajil Shaheed said the commission has requested the Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) to charge two officers in relation to Ath’har’s death. However, no further details were disclosed.
Ahmed Athuhar
