Police say post-mortems planned for 2 prisoners after death
The deceased were identified as Ibrahim Suhail, 53, Dhaftharu No. 439, and Hassan Niyaz, 45, of Diggaagasdhoshuge, S. Hithadhoo.
Two inmates who died while in custody at Hulhumalé Prison will be sent abroad for post-mortem examinations, police said on Monday.
According to the Maldives Police Service, both prisoners died on Monday last week. The deceased were identified as Ibrahim Suhail, 53, Dhaftharu No. 439, and Hassan Niyaz, 45, of Diggaagasdhoshuge, S. Hithadhoo.
A police spokesperson said post-mortem examinations will be carried out in accordance with standard procedures. It has not yet been confirmed whether the bodies have already been transferred abroad for the examinations.
The Maldives Correctional Service said Ibrahim Suhail died after being admitted to Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital, where he had been receiving treatment for a week. Corrections officials said he died at 9:05 a.m. while undergoing treatment for pneumonia.
Hassan Niyaz died later the same day at 2:05 p.m. The corrections service said he suffered a medical emergency and was taken to Hulhumalé Hospital at 1:30 p.m. Doctors pronounced him dead at 2:05 p.m. Authorities have not disclosed further details regarding the nature of the medical emergency.
Information obtained by police indicates that Hassan Niyaz was taken to hospital after losing consciousness in a prison toilet.
Images circulating on social media show Hassan Niyaz with visible injuries. In response, the Correctional Service said in a written statement that no prisoner is subjected to torture within the prison system and that any such allegations are treated seriously.
Police said investigations into the deaths are ongoing.
