The Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) today expressed concern after Adam Athuhar, 32, who threatened a woman at knifepoint, attempted suicide while in police custody.
HRCM member Moomina Waheed told Adhadhu that the commission has concerns if anyone in state custody attempts to commit suicide.
“The commission has concerns if any such things like self-harm or attempted suicide happen while a person is in state custody," he said.
Moomina said the HRCM was investigating the suicide attempt while also looking into police actions from the moment of his arrest.
Athuhar sustained the injuries when police hit him on the head with a baton while rescuing the woman and a lot of blood was at the scene of the incident.
A screenshot from a video of the incident. -- Photo: Mvcrisis
Moomina said the HRCM was analyzing details to decide whether to launch an investigation into torture over the police hitting him on the head with the baton.
Athuhar was first taken into police custody at around 8:00 am on Friday. But he was taken back to the hospital in the evening.
He was taken back into police custody on Sunday. His remand was extended for the duration of the trial on that day.
His family expressed concern because authorities were not providing updates on his condition and taking him to Dhoonidhoo custodial centre before his full recovery.
Meanwhile, police said it took only three minutes to put Athuhar in an ambulance in Male' after transporting him from Dhoonidhoo.
According to a timeline, it took 23 minutes between the time Athuhar was found hanging and the time he was taken to Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH).
Timeline publicized by the police
- 19:02: Police notice him hanging while monitoring the prison camera
- 19:02: Jail cell was opened and Athuhar was laid down
- 19:05: Athuhar was taken out of the cell on a stretcher
- 19:06: Doctor at Dhoonidhoo clinic checks his condition
- 19:14: Athuhar is transported to Male' by launch
- 19:17: He was transferred to an ambulance
- 19:25: Athuhar was taken to the emergency ward of IGMH
Athuhar is currently being treated on a ventilator at the ICU of IGMH.
Meanwhile, a police spokesperson declined to provide details of the attempted suicide and said the HRCM and Police Integrity Commission would provide details.
"He tried to hang himself. He is being treated in the ICU on a ventilator. No further update can be given," the spokesperson told Adhadhu.
Athuhar after the suicide attempt. -- Photo: Adhadhu
Police also refused to release CCTV footage of his cell. However, the Home Ministry recently released a CCTV video of a prison cell after the death of an inmate.
Mohamed Jameel, 45, of Zamaane Villa Shaviyani Funadhoo died in prison on June 29. The Home Ministry publicized video footage that shows his cell.
Dangerous items are not allowed in the cells during police custody. Police must confiscate items that could be used to commit suicide or attack someone.
Citing doctors, Athuhar's family told Adhadhu that he attempted to commit suicide by using the strings of his shorts. But police did not comment on that either.
"I spoke to an internal medicine doctor who said he tried to commit suicide using a string from his shorts. The doctor knew this when the police informed them. The police have not shared any information with the family. We have questioned them repeatedly," a person from Athuhar's family said.
