Police torture claims being investigated

The Human Rights Commission of Maldives is investigating claims that MP Faris Maumoon has been tortured by police.

Faris was taken into custody late January, accused of attempting to overthrow President Abdulla Yameen’s government by bribing politicians.

He was arrested days after being released from six months in detention while standing trial for separate bribery charges and, according to one NGO, has spent more than 200 days behind bars.

“When Faris refused to continue his investigation without his lawyers present, [officers] forcibly tried to remove him from his cell while he was handcuffed [and without a shirt or slippers], and he fell to the ground and injured his shoulders. After that, they transferred him from his cell to one of lower standards,” his lawyer Ibrahim Shameel told Mihaaru.

The son of ex-president Maumoon Abdul Gayooom is in a cell without ventilation or lights, Shameel said.

“Faris got injured on Friday, but he was shown to the doctor on Saturday night. HRCM should investigate such a case immediately after it was submitted,” he said, adding the HRCM has yet to meet with Faris.

Faris was brought to the capital for an X-ray Saturday night.

Lawyer Maumoon Hameed said police did not include the torture complaint in Faris’s statement.

“.@PoliceMv conducted @afarismaumoon investigation interview this evening in the presence of his lawyer, but were afraid to include his complaint of torture in his statement, so Faris refused to sign his statement,” he tweeted.

Photo: Mihaaru