Hostage and torture case linked to drugs; involvement of two MNDF soldiers

Maldives Police Service states they suspect that the case where a person was held hostage inside a home in Male’ and subjected to torture is linked to drugs, adding the case also saw the involvement of two MNDF soldiers.

Police shared the details during a press conference held on Wednesday. The case involved a person being held hostage inside a home in Male’ from May 25^th to June 25^th where he was subjected to torture and forced to conduct drug transactions.

Chief Superintendent of Police Hassan Shifau identified the victim as a 30-year-old Maldivian man. He also detailed the injuries the victim had sustained. In this regard, his little finger had been severed from the knuckles and various parts of his body were burnt and hit. His left eye was also significantly bruised.

Police said they suspect the incident took place during a drug transaction.

Five people have been arrested in connection to the case.

• Ali Saamy, 24, Mehuraa, R. Kandholhudhoo
• Ahmed Saif Waheed, 17, Hulhuvehi, GDh. Gadhdhoo
• Mohamed Naushad Hussain, 21, Uthuruge’aage Th. Thimarafushi
• Mohamed Nafaah, 23, Full Moon, K. Maafushi
• Ahmed Zayan, 24, Thundi Link, L. Gan

All four suspects apart from Nafaah have been remanded in custody pending the outcome of their trial.

Police noted that they were investigating the involvement of three children below the age of 18 in the case.

It was stressed that both Nafaah and Zayaan were employed with MNDF, and henceforth the authority will take action against them. Although neither of them had a prior criminal record, Police said they were both linked to individuals involved in crimes.

In this regard, Saamy, Saif and Naushad had prior criminal records in drug-related cases.

Police said the victim was held hostage at two apartments rented in Male’. They detailed that some items related to drug transactions were discovered from the apartments during a search.

“In this regard, items such as empty bags presumed to be used for packing drugs and scale for weighing were discovered during a search of the apartment where the victim was last held hostage,” Shifau said.

A wallet containing substances suspected to be drugs and three empty alcohol bottles were also discovered from the apartment. Additionally, a piece of cellophane containing a liquid substance suspected to be drugs was also seized from Zayaan.

The case is under further investigation by the Police.