7 DED officers involved in beating up suspect suspended, under criminal probe

Maldives Police Service says it has suspended and opened a criminal investigation into seven police officers who manhandled a suspect during drug operation in Male’ City.

The incident took place during a raid by the Drug Enforcement Department in M. Ujaalaage on Friday, July 5.

Officers found 461 grams of drugs from the residence and arrested two suspects; a 36-year-old male from Bangladesh and a 28-year-old male from Maldives.

The seven DED officers were suspended for beating up the Bangladeshi national.

“Since such action violates both the code of ethics and code of conduct of police, Commissioner of Police, Mohamed Hameed instructed the Professional Standard Command of this service for an immediate investigation into the incident,” wrote the police in a statement it issued last Monday evening.

The police report seven officers have been placed on suspension, and a criminal investigation has been launched into the incident by a special team.

The police also warned the public that the photos being circulated in social media of alleged officers involved in the incident are not the officers who were actually involved in the incident.

It has appealed to the public against spreading unverified information.