Police seek charges against 6 over Maafushi altercation

Police have asked the Prosecutor General’s Office to charge six people accused of obstructing and attacking officers who were attempting to search a person suspected of possessing and using drugs in K. Maafushi.

The incident occurred at about 1pm on 11 August, according to police.

Police previously said officers were attempting to stop and search a person suspected of possessing and using drugs when six people arrived at the scene and allegedly obstructed the officers. The six were subsequently arrested.

Police said on Monday that the investigation had been completed and the case was forwarded to the Prosecutor General’s Office on 10 September for prosecution.

The six people referred for prosecution, all from Maafushi, are Mohamed Shabin Shujaau, 18, of Heaven; Abdulla Nihad, 30, of Starline; Ibrahim Suneez, 41, of Greenpark; Ahmed Ahunaf Asfaag, 24, of Vaareyvila; Mohamed Shaihan, 21, of Greenpark; and Hassan Nabeel, 32, of Faiza Manzil.

Shabin was arrested at the scene on 11 August but was later released by the Maafushi Magistrate Court. Police have appealed the decision at the High Court.

Nihad was arrested under a court order on 14 August and is remanded until 4 October.

Suneez was arrested under a court order on 15 August, while Ahunaf was arrested on 19 August. Their remand periods expire on Wednesday and 11 October, respectively.

Shaihan was arrested under a court order on 28 August and is remanded until Sunday.

Nabeel, who was arrested under a court order on 29 August, was released by the court on 21 September.

Police said cases involving obstruction of officers carrying out their lawful duties and attacks against officers would be investigated seriously.