Allegation that female MDP supporter was beaten by police could not be proven: PIC

The Police Integrity Commission (PIC) has said that not enough evidence exists to prove the allegation that a female supporter of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) was beaten by the police.

PIC said that it had investigated allegations by some media stations and social media that Zeenath Zaki was beaten by the police during a protest by MDP in Male’ on 15 February.

The report compiled by PIC after investigations states that based on the documents and statements collected during the investigation, there are no grounds to believe that the woman was beaten by the police.

The report states that the videos related to the incident do not show the police beating Zeenath; instead, it shows that Zeenath let go of all strength in her body when the police tried to grasp her, forcing the police to carry her.

PIC said that she was carried by female police officers and that her medico legal report does not state that she sustained any serious injuries.

PIC said in its report that it is reasonable to believe that carrying a person who had let go of all strength in her body can result in bruises, such as the bruises found on Zeenath noted in her medical report.

Zeenath suffered a fit during efforts by the police to arrest her at the protest, following which she was immediately taken to the hospital by the police.