Body of Maafushi detainee who committed suicide sent overseas for autopsy

The body of a detainee at the Maafushi Prison who was found hanging in his cell in an apparent suicide has been sent overseas for an autopsy.

Abdul Ghanee Ismail, 62, G. Ehtheyomaage, K. 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.

A police spokesperson said his body was flown overseas for an autopsy on Friday.

According to the Maldives Correctional Service, Abdul Ghanee had been ordered to jail pending the outcome of his trial for the sexual abuse of a child.

According to a spokesperson from the Home Ministry, Ghanee was detained in March for the sexual abuse of a 15-year-old girl.

The spokesperson added that he had a pre-existing criminal record.

Ghanee’s death, which came less than a month after another custodial death by hanging, has sparked concern from the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). It accused the government of negligence, and called for an independent inquiry into the death.