HRCM express concern over delays in medical care for Azmeel

Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) has expressed Maldives Police Service’s failure to transport Mohamed Azmeel Jaleel, 38, who was injured during an attempt to arrest him on July 15^th, to the hospital promptly which ultimately delayed his care.

Azmeel was injured after a fall from a window at his residence as he attempted to flee officers who were there to arrest him under a court order.

The Commission, via a post on Friday, said the case has been brought to their attention by the Police and henceforth, are investigating the case under the Anti-Torture Act.

In this regard, HRCM said they have visited the scene of the incident and filed a request with the Police to obtain and review CCTV footage from the premises in addition to CCTV footage from the Police Custodial and body-worn cameras of officers, if any were used. 

HRCM also said they were undertaking efforts to obtain further information regarding the incident. Through these efforts, the Commission said they learned Azmeel was taken to the Custodial at approximately 14:45pm on July 15^th after his family had requested his transportation to the hospital and that he was boarded on a vehicle for transportation to the hospital at 15:01pm.

In light of their findings, HRCM expressed concern over the delays in facilitating medical care for Azmeel.

They said they have also advised the Police to take suspects injured during arrest straight away to the hospital.

HRCM added that they were working on completing their investigation into the case at the earliest and that their subsequent findings would be brought to the attention of the relevant authorities.

Police said Azmeel requested some time to get ready when officers went to his residence to arrest him at 14:15pm on Monday. They detailed that Azmeel was injured after falling as he attempted to flee from a window on the first floor of the residence.

As per the Police, Azmeel sustained injuries to his head in the fall, among other injuries. He was first taken to Police Custodial in Male’ City where he was examined by a medical officer, said the Police, adding his transfer to the hospital came subsequently.