Police Rejects Foul Play in Detainee’s Death
The Maldives Police Service has refuted allegations of foul play in the death of a detainee at Maafushi Jail on Friday morning.
In a press conference convened by the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology yesterday, police officials addressed concerns surrounding the death of Mohamed Jameel.
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They emphasised that visible bruising on Jameel’s body, circulated on social media, was attributed to post-mortem discolouration known as “liver mortis”, rather than signs of physical harm.
Chief Inspector Mohamed Samih, head of the Death and Homicide Investigation Unit, explained that the pooling of blood due to gravity, as Jameel lay in a prostrated position, caused the observed bruising on his face.
Regarding the decision not to perform an autopsy before releasing the body, Samih clarified that both investigators and medical professionals found no evidence suggesting foul play. This assessment was reportedly supported by representatives from the Human Rights Commission (HRCM) and the National Integrity Commission (NIC).
However, subsequent dissemination of images showing bruising prompted authorities to reconsider their stance.
“Releasing the body under these circumstances would have undermined our ability to ascertain the cause of death,” Samih stated,
Despite appeals from Police as well as Ali Ihusaan, the Minister of Homeland Security and Technology for an autopsy, Jameel’s family declined permission, asserting their belief in the natural cause of death and their wish to proceed with burial rites unimpeded.
Questions were also raised during the press conference regarding the circumstances leading up to Jameel’s death and alleged negligence. Assistant Commissioner of Prisons Mohamed Asif disclosed that Jameel, who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia, was housed in a secure unit following initial detention in a high-security zone.
Asif detailed that on the morning of Jameel’s death, despite cell doors being unlocked at 7am, prison officers refrained from entering as he appeared to be engaged in prayer. Officers checked up on him only at 11:34 after lying motionless for over four hours.
Minister Ihusaan acknowledged this delay as a concern and committed to instituting hourly checks on all inmates, regardless of activity, moving forward.
“Someone under the jurisdiction of MCS should not lie motionless for four hours. I believe that it is something we have to correct.”
Additionally, he announced a policy mandating autopsies for all deceased inmates under any circumstances before releasing the body to the family.
“We will only hand over the body after receiving the results of all post-mortem investigations and preparing to an extent that will allow us to fully answer for the incident.” Ihusaan said
In addressing broader concerns, Ihusaan urged respect for privacy and cautioned against the spread of misinformation, particularly in sensitive cases involving deceased individuals.
“We do not want to be sharing video footage of someone’s last moments. But we decided to do this due to the sensitive nature of this incident. We do not want to do this as a standard practice,” he said
Assistant Prisons Commissioner Asif further noted Jameel’s access to psychiatric care while Minister Ihusaan highlighted challenges in managing detainees with mental health conditions within current facilities.
Minister Ihusaan underscored the government’s commitment to improving facilities for detainees with mental health needs through the construction of a new main jail facility.
The incident has prompted calls for increased vigilance and reforms within the Maldives correctional system to ensure the well-being and security of all detainees.
