Local market assault victim in critical condition

A 41-year-old man injured in an assault at the local market in Malé on Friday afternoon is in critical condition at the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital.

An IGMH media official told The Maldives Independent that the victim was hospitalised with serious head and back injuries. His lungs were filled with water.

The media official said he has been unconscious for two days and is breathing through a ventilator.

The police meanwhile arrested two men aged 31 and 36 yesterday in connection with the assault. The criminal court has extended their remand detention to five days.

Local media previously reported that the 41-year-old was assaulted and thrown into the sea after he was caught trying to steal from a market stall.

According to the police, the man sustained injuries when he “fell or tried to jump” into the water during the fight.

The case is under investigation by the serious and organized crime department.