29 murders in 3 years; 22 cases cleared

29 homicide cases have been filed since 2014 to date, out of which 76 percent of the cases have been investigated and cleared, says Maldives Police Service.

The police made the statement in response to a question by a reporter during a press conference held by the authority last Wednesday evening.

Police Spokesperson, Superintendent of Police Ahmed Shifan said that 29 homicides took place in the country during the past three years, but that the public needed to consider the police clearance rate. He said that investigation into 22 of the cases have been completed and the cases submitted to Prosecutor General’s Office. He said it was a great improvement.

“Though the figure increased to 29 within three years, we believe that completing 22 cases – 76 percent – is great work on our part,” said Shifan.

Shifan said that homicide cases weren’t easy. He said that police faced various legal challenges and needed to work harder in light of the unique characteristics of the community.

He stressed that the progress made by police in homicide investigations and the clearance rate was a huge achievement.

As the police claim to be working to prevent gang violence and major crimes, it has requested for tags and MoniCon (Monitor and Control) Order to be issued against 16 individuals assessed by the authority to be a menace to society.