Autopsies to be conducted in all custodial deaths

Home Minister Ali Ihusan said on Saturday that he has decided that the police will hereafter perform autopsies on all inmates who die in jail.

He announced the decision in a press briefing on Saturday afternoon, regarding the death of a suspect who died at the Maafushi Prison the previous day.

Mohamed Jameel, 45, was found dead in the position of sujoodh in his jail cell on Friday morning. Photos taken of his body showed scars and bruises on his face, fueling allegations that he was tortured in prison.

The police denied the allegations of torture, telling reporters on Saturday that the bruises are believed to be signs of livor mortis, and not that of torture.

At 06:30 am Friday, prison guards on their routine patrol found Jameel in the position of sujoodh.

They assumed he was praying, and did not enter the cell to investigate.

The guards finally intervened after he was found in the same position, four hours later.

He was taken to the prison’s medical center, and then to the Maafushi Health Center at 12:13 pm, where he was pronounced dead at 12:45 pm.

The doctor determined the cause of death as cardiopulmonary arrest.

Ihusan told reporters on Saturday that he acknowledges that it is not right that the guards failed to realize an inmate had been motionless for so long.

He promised systemic reforms to address the issue.

“As of today, Maldives Correctional Service will check on inmates on an hourly basis. Even if they appear to be performing an act of worship, we will ensure they are alive and well,” he said.

Ihusan also announced a significant shift in protocol regarding the release of bodies in cases of custodial death.

He said that the bodies of inmates will not be released without an autopsy.

“We will release bodies to families only after a postmortem is done, and only after we get the report and after all institutions are fully prepared to be held accountable,” he said.

Jameel had been jailed pending the outcome of his trial, in a case involving possession of a dangerous and sharp-edged weapon.

Earlier on Saturday, rights watchdog, the Maldives Human Rights and Detainee Watch condemned Jameel’s death.

It said that he had been denied medical care, despite being a known mental health patient.

The group added that the death underscores the urgent need for comprehensive reforms in the Maldives’ prison and mental health care systems.