Emergency declared in Maafushi prison

An emergency has been declared in the high-security Maafushi prison with cancellation of lawyer meetings for inmates, local media reported.

A Maldives Correctional Service spokesman confirmed to VFP that it was declared Monday morning, but refused to say why or for how long.

The spokesman said media will be briefed at a later date.

Vnews reported that the step was taken ahead of the election scheduled for Sunday to tighten security at the prison, which is home to hundreds of convicts including former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

But the MCS spokesman denied the report and said the prison situation was not connected to the upcoming election.

According to Mihaaru, the MCS said precautions are taken ahead of every election to ensure there is no violence.

Prisons commissioner Ahmed Shihan on Sunday made new appointments to the senior positions of Maafushi prison, Asseyri prison and Malé prison.

Ibrahim Mohamed Didi was appointed director of Malé prison, Ahmed Riza as director of Maafushi prison and superintendents Mohamed Shaaheen and Moosan Anwar of Maafushi prison were transferred to MCS headquarters.