A Maldivian man has died suddenly while in police custody at the Male’ Custodial Facility. The incident occurred on Friday afternoon.
In a message sent to the media, the police stated that the individual was found unconscious in his cell and was immediately rushed to the hospital. However, police noted that medical professionals informed them the man was already deceased upon arrival at the hospital.
The deceased has been identified as a 45-year-old Maldivian male. According to the police, he was being held in custody under a court order to ensure his appearance at a scheduled hearing. Authorities have not disclosed the specific nature of the case for which he was being detained.
Following the death of an individual in police custody, the police confirmed that the relevant independent oversight bodies have been notified. Reports of the incident have been submitted to the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) and the National Integrity Commission (NIC).
The police further stated that they are conducting a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death. In such cases, independent institutions typically review the safety protocols and health conditions of detainees to determine the underlying causes of the incident.
There have been previous instances of sudden deaths occurring in police custody. In every such case, relevant authorities conduct investigations to determine if there was any negligence involved. The police have not yet released further details regarding this specific incident.
