Debate begins on issue of escaped prisoners

An emergency issue has been submitted to the parliament regarding the escape of dangerous convicts, Ibrahim Shahum and Fariyash Ahmed, who were serving life sentences, from Maafushi prison.

The issue was submitted by Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) Maafannu-North MP Imthiyaz Fahmy, and accepted by the parliament with 50 votes in favour.

Presenting the case, Imthiyaz said that the prisoners were able to escape from the high-security prison due to the negligence and irresponsibility of the relevant government authorities.

He said that dangerous criminals being on the loose has left the people in a state of fear.

He called on the government and the police to give highest priority to finding the two criminals, and to put procedures in place to ensure that similar incidents are not repeated.

Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) Parliamentary Group Leader Nihan Hussain assured that the government will investigate and take necessary action in relation to the escape of the two prisoners. He said that while MDP was trying to blame PPM for this incident, the conditions were the same during the MDP government as well. He called on everyone to cooperate in the efforts to solve this problem.