HRCM confirms probe into inmate's death
The commission said that the HRCM's Rapid Response Team (RRT) had been deployed to examine the body of the prisoner.
By
Mohamed Muzayyin Nazim
The Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) has said it is gathering information and looking into the death of Mohammed Jameel, the inmate who died while in jail pending trial.
The HRCM on Sunday spoke for the first time, two days after the death of Jameel, who died in his cell in Maafushi jail last Wednesday.
The commission said in a Facebook post on Sunday that the HRCM's Rapid Response Team (RRT) had been deployed to examine the body of the prisoner.
"When the commission received the news of [Jameel's] death, the commission's RRT immediately took action. Thus, the body of Mohammed Jameel was examined, photographed, and information was clarified from the officers of the Maldives Correctional Service and his family," the post said.
The Facebook post also includes some of the work done so far on the issue. As such, it said:
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HRCM officials visited Maafushi Prison and watched the CCTV footage related to the incident
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Visited the cell where Jameel was held
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Information has been clarified from the inmates in the unit and from the inmates in the cell where Jameel was formerly held
"The commission is also looking into additional issues," the post said, without giving further details.
Photos of Jameel's body had gone viral on social media after his death. It showed bruise-like markings on his body and massive discoloration all over him, while he was at the funeral house. With that, the Correctional Service was accused of torture.
Following these allegations the Home Ministry, Corrections and Police denied the allegations at a press conference. They maintain that it was a natural death.
The opposition MDP also held a press conference on Sunday to express concern over the incident.
