Hostage taker shifted to the ICU in critical condition

Aug 31, 2024, 5:40 AM
Photo: Mvcrisis

Photo: Mvcrisis

Adam Athuhar, 32, who held a woman hostage with a knife to her neck, has been shifted to the ICU in critical condition.

He was shifted to the ICU after police sent a message to the media on Friday afternoon saying he was in good condition.

The family told Adhadhu that he was transferred to Indira Gandi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) in the morning after receiving treatment at ADK Hospital. Athuhar was taken to police custody at around 8:00 am on Friday.

However, he suffered a seizure while in custody and was taken to IGMH again at 5:00 pm. Athuhar is currently being treated in the ICU of the IGMH, the family said.

"I don't believe he is stable. He has injuries in his neck and head. They don't tell us anything about his condition. They keep saying he is stable," the family said.

The family added that Athuhar was unable to stand and was taken to the police custodial in a wheelchair on Friday morning.

He sustained the injuries when police hit him on the head with a baton while rescuing the kidnapped woman. Police did not disclose details of the injuries but there was a lot of blood at the scene.

Meanwhile, Police Commissioner Ali Sujau praised the police for bringing the incident under control.

In a meeting with the police, Sujau said the threat was neutralized very professionally and praised the actions of the police given the circumstances.

Home Minister Ali Ihusan has also praised the police's efforts. In a post on X, Ihusan said the police took a courageous decision to rescue the woman.

Videos of the incident circulating on social media show Athuhar coming out of a house in Male' with a knife to the woman's throat and threatening to kill her. He then gets on a motorcycle with the woman and forces her to ride it.

But he could not leave the area as the road was blocked due to bystanders. A police officer moved from behind and hit him on the head with a baton while the motorcycle was in front of the crowd.

He fell to the ground with the woman and the motorcycle and the woman was rescued by the police and members of the public.

The woman, who is also a police officer, was treated for minor injuries.

Meanwhile, Home Minister Ihusan said an internal review would be conducted into the police actions during the hostage situation.

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