Family receives chance to view Abdulla’s body before autopsy

The family of the suspect in a drug case who died in police custody last week were shown his body Sunday, before it is transported overseas for an autopsy.

Abdulla Rasheed, 43, was arrested in a counter-drug operation from a café near the harbor of GDh. Hoadedhdhoo at approximately 02:15 pm Tuesday. The police hired a private speedboat to transport him to another island. He died en route.

According to the family, Abdulla had repeatedly complained of chest pains when the police had him board the boat, and the officers there dismissed it as an act and denied him medical treatment.

Police have decided to perform an autopsy to determine the cause of death. Abdulla’s body is stored at the Galolhu Mortuary.

His body was shown to his family after Isha prayer Sunday evening.

Abdulla’s family had lodged a case with the Civil Court to stop the autopsy, stating they wish for him to be buried as soon as possible, without any further harm to his body. The court ruled against stopping the autopsy earlier Sunday.

The family’s legal representative Mohamed Ragib Ahmed told Sun he finds the court’s decision unacceptable.

“I don’t believe the decision to be just,” he said.

Abdulla, who was involved in the sea cucumber business, had lived in Hoadedhdhoo alone. His wife and four children – three girls and one boy - reside in Male’ City.

His body is scheduled to be transported overseas for an autopsy on Monday.