Prison suicide: MDP again alleges negligence, calls for independent investigation

Main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has again alleged negligence by the relevant government authorities following the suicide of a man jailed at the Maafushi Prison and in this trajectory, has called to conduct an independent investigation into the case.

Maldives Correctional Service said that Abdul Ghanee Ismail, 62, G. Ehtheyomaage, Male’, was found hanging in his jail cell at 06:52 am Tuesday. He was rushed to the Maafushi Hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead at 07:21 am.

Correctional Service said that Abdul Ghanee had been ordered to jail pending the outcome of his trial for the sexual abuse of a 15-year-old girl.

In a statement on the case, MDP expressed concern citing repeated cases of deaths in prison. In this regard, the party detailed that Tuesday’s case had come shortly after the case of Adam Athuhar – who was arrested for holding a woman hostage at knifepoint in Male’ – that also attempted suicide by hanging at Dhoonidhoo Custodial Jail on September 1^st.

The party underscored that Tuesday’s death had come after it had earlier called to implement measures to ensure such an incident is not repeated following Athuhar’s death.

“While guaranteeing the safety and security of every individual imprisoned under the custody of the state remains a responsibility of the state by law, this party believes there to be negligence in monitoring the action of this detainee (Ghanee) inside the prison cell and taking action promptly, especially considering a similar incident having occurred recently,” the statement read.

MDP called on the relevant government authorities to conduct a comprehensive and independent investigation into Ghanee’s death.

Correctional Service said that it immediately notified Ghanee’s family of his death, as well as Inspector of Correctional Service, the police, the Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM), and the National Integrity Commission (NIC) – as required in cases of custodial deaths.

The Correctional Service’s Professional Standards has also opened an internal investigation into the death.

Home Ministry has said the bodies of individuals who die in prions will only be handed over to their families after conducting an autopsy following the death of a detainee at Maafushi Prison back in July.