Author: Ahmed Nazeer

Senior officer sues police for compensation of medical costs for injuries on Feb 7

Superintendent Adhnan Anees has sued the Maldives Police Service seeking compensation for medical treatment of injuries sustained after mutinying police officers allegedly attacked him in Republic Square and inside police headquarters on February 7.

Anees’s lawyer Abdulla Shair told Minivan News that Superintendent Anees was struck multiple times with a wooden chair while he was inside police headquarters, and had suffered a fractured arm.

Shair said that his client received serious injuries and was still undergoing medical treatment. He noted that the Police Act obliged the institution to take responsibility for any injuries sustained by an officer while on duty.

“They have to take the responsibility because he was on duty at the time and was inside police headquarters,” Shair added.

Similar incidents were also highlighted in the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s ‘coup report’ co-authored by former Defence Minister Ameen Faisal and Environment Minister Ahmed Aslam.

The report stated that mutinying police officers attacked senior officers inside police headquarters on the morning of February 7 while a large number of officers were protesting at Republic Square.

The attack was carried out by police officers outside police headquarters on the instructions of Police Superintendent Abdulla Nawaz and Sub-Inspector Azeem Waheed, according to the MDP’s report.

The report stated that Corporal Ahmed Vikram ‘Viki’ hit Superintendent Anees with a wooden chair in the back, and struck Anees in the genitals with his legs.

Anees was then taken upstairs to the third floor of police headquarters and locked inside the Drug Enforcement Department’s storage room, along with Deputy Commissioner Ismail Atheef and Superintendent Ibrahim Manik, the report said.

According to the report, mutinying police officers subsequently broke open the door of the storage room and again attacked the three senior officers, before taking them downstairs.

Chief Superintendent Mohamed Jinah, head of police drug unit, was pictured handcuffed on a launch. He was reported to have been beaten up by rogue police officers before being taken to Dhoonidhoo Detention Centre along with several other senior officers.

Superintendent 'Lady' Ibrahim Manik assaulted outside police HQ

A picture showing an attack on Superintendent of Police Ibrahim Manik was also included in the Ameen-Aslam report. Manik was struck on the head using an extendable steel baton, by a man identified as Corporal Waseem from Police Special Operations (SO).

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EC to investigate claims 2500 MDP members transferred to JP without their knowledge

The Elections Commission (EC) will investigate claims by the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) that more than 2500 MDP members were found to have been unknowingly deregistered from the party and registered with government-allied parties – mostly the Jumhoree Party (JP) – without their knowledge.

Elections Commissioner President Fuad Thaufeeq confirmed that an MDP official yesterday met with the EC and made the complaint. The commission has asked the MDP to send all the names and ID card details of the persons unregistered.

‘’After we get the names and ID card details we can check how many forms have been forwarded to the commission under their names, whose fingerprints were on the forms, and from which political party we received the forms,’’ Fuad explained.

He said the MDP has not yet sent the information requested, and that the commission will commence the investigation as soon as the information was received.

‘’If it requires police assistance for the investigation we will ask the police,’’ he added.

MDP Elections Committee Chair Ibrahim Waheed has claimed that more than MDP 2500 have unknowingly been transferred from party to the party of local business tycoon, MP Gasim Ibrahim.

Waheed said the issue was noticed when MDP members who turned out to vote in the MDP internal elections over the weekend complained that their names were not on the list of eligible voters.

According to Waheed, more than 2500 complaints were received over the same issue from the islands as well as from Male’.

When the Elections Committee looked into the matter, it discovered that most of the names were registered with different political parties, most of them with Gasim’s Jumhoree Party, he said.

Waheed said the MDP Membership and Complaints Committee will hold a meeting soon to discuss the issue.

The MDP’s President Dr Ibrahim Didi and Vice President MP Alhan Fahmy were recently voted out of their positions in a near-unanimous no-confidence motion by the party’s National Council. Soon afterwards, the pair joined the JP were immediately promoted to the party’s leadership in parallel positions.

Local media reported that during a press conference last week, Dr Didi accused the MDP of “undemocratic acts” and accused his former party of subverting political freedom.

Internal elections

Two-thirds of the MDP’s 48,181-strong membership base turned out to vote in the party’s single-candidate internal elections, held over the weekend to determine its presidential candidate.

Former President Mohamed Nasheed ran unopposed in the party’s election of its presidential candidate, however the party’s regulations require any candidate to receive at least 10 percent of the party’s vote to secure the nomination.

Following the final count of the 258 ballot boxes, Nasheed recorded 31,798 votes in favour to 269 against his being the party’s presidential candidate.

Chairperson candidate Moosa ‘Reeko’ Manik had 29,044 votes in favour to 2160 against, while Deputy Chairperson candidate Ali Shiyam had 563 in favour to 7 against.

The MDP has maintained calls for early elections following its ousting from power on February 7, with Nasheed resigning during a police and military mutiny under what he subsequently claimed was duress. The party has held regular demonstrations since that time calling for early elections.

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Independent Institutions Committee investigating CSC Chair for alleged sexual harassment

Parliament’s Independent Institutions Committee has launched an investigation into alleged harassment of a female staff member by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) Chair, Mohamed Fahmy.

Local newspaper Haveeru reported that the incident occurred on May 29 and the victim was a female senior research officer.

According to the paper, both Fahmy and the victim were summoned to committee after the complaint was lodged in the first week of June.

Fahmy was alleged to have called the female staff member over to him, taken her hand and asked her to stand in front of him so that others in the office could not see, and caressed her stomach saying ”it won’t do for a beautiful single woman like you to get fat.”

According to local media, the woman told her family about the incident, who then called Fahmy. Fahmy then sent her a text message apologising for the incident, reportedly stating, “I work very closely with everyone. But I have learned my lesson this time.”

Speaking to Minvian News today, Fahmy said the allegation was false “and a blatant lie.”

“The female staff member concerned did not win a scholarship to Singapore, and that is why she is doing this in return,” Fahmy said.

He alleged the claim was politically motivated issue, as she would have otherwise filed the case with police and not parliament.

“All I have to say is that it isn’t true,” he added.

Police Sub-Inspector Hassan Haneef said the police cases database did not show that the case had been reported.

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Fifth suspect arrested in connection with the murder of Arham

Police have arrested a fifth person involved in the murder of 16 year-old Mohamed Arham, who was killed in ‘Lorenzo Park’ last month.

Police today said that an 18 year-old man was arrested this afternoon in connection with the case, at about 2:15pm.

No details of the man were disclosed to the media.

Recently, police arrested four men allegedly involved in the murder and said the death was related to a gang war and not political.

Deputy Head of Police Serious and Organised Crime, Dhaudh Mohamed, previously said that 16 year-old Mohamed Arham was killed in a revenge attack in an argument that night between two gangs.

Dhaudh said that the police investigation had found out that Arham had a close relationship with the gang, who were based in the park in which he was found dead. The victim had no previous criminal record, although he used to visit the park frequently, police stated.

The hearing into the murder of Abdul Mueeth ‘Bobby’, 21, was also scheduled for today at the Criminal Court but was later cancelled as the accused three men, Muhujath Ahmed Naseeh, Mohamed Maimoon and Ali Mushaf had not appointed lawyers.

According to local newspapers, at today’s hearing the judge told the state attorney that in cases of this type the accused can only respond to the charges with a lawyer.

Ali Mushaf today complained to the judge that he was restricted from basic rights such as the opportunity to make phone calls while under pre-trial detention.

On February 19, Abdul Muheeth of G. Veyru, was rushed to Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) after he was stabbed at 1:45am near the Finance Ministry building. He later died during treatment.

The family of Muheeth have said that he was waiting outside his house for a friend after finishing a family dinner.

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Quran teacher stopped teaching my daughter after MDP Coup Report, says Police Asst Commissioner

A female Quran teacher has refused to teach the 10 year-old daughter of Police Assistant Commissioner Hassan Habeeb, following the publication of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s report into controversial transfer of power on February 7.

Speaking to Minivan News today, Assistant Commissioner Habeeb said that when his wife went to fetch their daughter from the Quran class, the teacher told her: ‘’We are not supporters of the coalition.’’

‘’My wife at first did not quite get what she said and asked her what she meant by that. The Quran teacher replied that she had stopped teaching the Quran to the children of police and Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) officers, as she had seen and read what they had done on February 7,’’ Habeeb said.

He said when he and his wife talked to their daughter about it, they learned that the Quran teacher had not been teaching her daughter since the release of the MDP’s report.

‘’We knew from our daughter that the Quran teacher has been talking politics in the class,’’ he added.

Habeeb said he was “very saddened” by the incident and appealed to every one not to put politics in the way of such services.

‘’I have information that some doctors have also being differentiating among people of different political views, and it is very concerning,’’ he said. ‘’If this continues, this citizens will be split into groups.’’

He said this was a serious issue and it must be attended to immediately.

‘’Police and MNDF officers do not have any political views and we treat everyone equally, so people should not take us politically,’’ he added.

Minivan News was unable to contact the Quran teacher.

However she told newspaper Haveeru that the matter was her own personal business, and that she had stopped teaching Quran to not just one child.

According to the MDP’s report, then-Chief Superintendent Hassan Habeeb (now Assistant Commissioner), Assistant Commissioner Hussein Waheed, Chief Superintendent Abdulla Fairoosh, Chief Superintendent Ahmed Saudhy, Chief Inspector Abdul Mannan Yousuf, Inspector Mohamed Dhaudh, Superintendent Ahmed ‘two four’ Mohamed, Superintendent Mohamed Jamsheed, Sub-Inspector Azeem Waheed and SO Inspector Shameem were among the senior police officers who  pledged alliance to the then-opposition and facilitated the police mutiny.

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Three police and an MNDF officer arrested for robbing expatriate workers

Police have arrested three police officers and a Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) officer after they allegedly robbed a large amount of cash from expatriate workers in a house near the State Bank of India (SBI) in Male’s Heniveru ward.

Newspaper Haveeru reported that one police officer was a member of the police investigations team, while another was a Special Operations (SO) officer.

Haveeru reported that the men entered the house and attacked and threatened the expatriate workers on Friday night around 9:00pm.

Two of the police officers were in uniform during the incident, according to Haveeru.

The paper reported that two police officers met one of the expatriates on the road and robbed him of his mobile phone, before heading towards the house the workers were living in.

Police Spokesperson Sub-Inspector Hassan Haneef today confirmed to Minivan News that a robbery was reported to police on Friday night.

Haneef said he could not confirm whether police officers and a MNDF officer were involved in the robbery.

‘’There were Maldivians involved in it,’’ he said, adding that this was all the information that he could share regarding the case at the moment.

Online newspaper Manadhoolive has also reported the same incident.

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Bangladeshi prostitution ring busted in Male’

Police have arrested five Bangladeshi men and three Bangladeshi women in a crackdown on a Bangladeshi prostitution ring.

The five were arrested last night after raiding Mahchangolhi Rauha house, a place allegedly used for prostitution.

Police conducted a special operation on Monday night and entered the house with a court warrant. There were four rooms in the house and police saw illegal sexual activities carried out in three of the four rooms when they attended the scene, police said.

According to police, officers discovered items used for sexual activities and lots of foreign and Maldivian currency.

Police said the investigation into the case had revealed that the money was obtained through prostitution.

Furthermore, police advised landlords to find out who the tenants were before renting out their houses.

In April this year, police arrested seven Bangladeshi nationals over alleged involvement in a prostitution ring on premises suspected of operating as brothels.

The suspects – four female and three male – were apprehended during raids by police officers inside Ranfaunu house, based in the Mahchangolhi ward of Male’ on 9 April.

Last October, a prostitution ring that had trafficked Sri Lankan girls to Maldivian resorts via Male’ for the past six years was busted by Sri Lankan police, and is now being investigated by local authorities.

Last Saturday police arrested four Thai women and one Maldivian man for involvement in illegal sexual activities inside a beauty salon in Male’.

In May, two people were arrested at the “New Age” beauty salon for sexual misconduct.

In April police arrested two Thai women and two local men on prostitution charges after raiding a Male’-based business called ‘Maldivian Care’.

In March police arrested five Thai nationals and three male Maldivians inside ‘Herbal Beauty Salon’, located on the second floor of Maafannu Sherrif.

Lots of beauty salons in Male’ have been closed on prostitution charges after the new government came to power.

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Two arrested in connection with the stabbing of Bangladeshi man

Police have arrested two Maldivian men who were allegedly involved in the stabbing of a Bangladeshi man last night at about 12:30am, while he was near Personal Computers, a computer shop in the Maafanu ward of Male’.

The names and identity of the pair arrested were not disclosed to the media but police said one man was 18 and the other was 19 years-old.

Police said they have confiscated the sharp weapon the assailants used near Maafannu Vakkaru house, with blood on it.

According to police the Bangladeshi man was stabbed in the neck from behind, and he was taken to Indira Gandi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) for treatment.

A statement police issued today said that the man’s condition was improving.

Police Sub-Inspector Hassan Haneef today told Minivan News that police have information that four persons were involved in the attack on the Bangladeshi man.

‘’We are searching for the other two involved,’’ Haneef said. ‘’We are not very clear on the motive behind the attack.’’

The stabbing is the latest in a wave of similar incidents across Male’, some of which have proven fatal.

Early last week, prominent Maldivian blogger and journalist Ismail ‘Hilath’ Rasheed was left in a critical condition after his throat was slashed outside his house in Male’. A Bangladeshi man was also stabbed the same evening and suffered minor injuries.

On May 30, the dead body of 16 year-old Mohamed Arham was discovered by police inside the park behind Kulliyathul Dhirasathul Islamiyya.

On May 31, 65 year-old Hassan Abubakur was found murdered inside his own house on the island of Maafaru in Noonu Atoll.

Police have arrested suspects for every stabbing incident with the exception of the attack on Hilath.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) have condemned the attack on the journalist, describing it as having  “all the hallmarks of a targeted murder attempt.”

“Rasheed has made many enemies through his outspoken blogging. The authorities in charge of the investigation should not rule out the possibility that this was linked to his journalistic activity. He is a well-known journalist who has repeatedly been censored, arrested and threatened,” RSF said in a statement.
“The police must, as a matter of urgency, put a stop to the harassment of Rasheed and take the issue of his safety seriously. Any lack of response on their part will constitute a criminal failure to assist a person in danger.”
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Police recover Rf28,500, US$201 stolen from a house in Addu

Police have recovered Rf28,500 (US$1900) and US$201 in cash stolen from a house in the Hulhumeedhoo ward of Addu City, and arrested two men and a 16 year-old boy in connection with the case.

According to police, the cash was reported stolen from Evening Villa in Hulhumeedhoo. Hulhumeedhoo Police Station conducted a special operation to find the money and the suspects.

Police said the two men aged 38, 18 and 16 years old were arrested and questioned about the incident. The money was discovered yesterday evening, hidden inside the toilet of a house called Hikiunimaage in Addu.

The 16 year-old boy has a previous criminal record for theft, for which he was convicted and served his sentence at Feydhufinolhu before he was handed over to his parents in May this year, police said.

The other two men also have previous criminal records of assault and theft.

Police statistics show that so far 156 cases of theft have been logged with  the police in the month of June, while 13 cases of robbery, 36 cases of assault, 37 cases related to drugs, 55 cases of traffic violation, 14 cases of sexual offences, three cases of domestic violence, two cases of counterfeit and forgery, 26 cases of vandalism have been reported to police in this month.

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