Prison violence plans being made in relation to CNI

Minister of State for Home Affairs and Head of DPRS, Mohamed Fayaz has said that information had been received that plans are being made to create violence in prisons on the day the Commission of National Inquiry (CNI) publishes its report.

Fayaz told Sun Online in an interview that evidence had been collected of some political groups directly contacting inmates to organise violence in prisons on 30 August.

He said that such communications are conducted via phones which have been smuggled into prisons, and that inmates involved in these activities are now separated from the rest.

Moreover, action was taken today against an Officer who facilitated the transfer of phones to inmates.

DRPS plans to launch special security operations from 18:00 today, which includes checks on all prisons, in preparation for violence on 30 August.

“Military fire capacity and Police backup will be available on that day,” Fayaz said.

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has already commenced street protests in anticipation of the presentation of CNI’s report on 30 August, prompting the Police to launch special operations to prepare for violence.

“We will be prepared, and won’t tolerate any violence on that day,” Fayaz said.

Violence breaks out at the main prison in Maafushi every time tension escalates in Male’, including inmates breaking out of their cells and setting fire to the prison about two years ago.