Police deny use of tasers during counter-terrorism operation in jails, said one inmate 'hurt himself'

Security services have concluded the counter-terrorism operation carried it out in Male’ and Maafushi Prisons.

The operation was carried out on Saturday, with the Maldives Correctional Service (MCS) revealing that it was part of the many operations being carried out in relation to the terror atta in capital Male’ City on May 6.

The operation in the prisons was led by the Maldives Police Service (MPS) together with the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).

There were reports of officers attacking prisoners even using tasers during the operation, however, police denied this.

Police said that officers had to use pepper spray against two inmates for failure to comply adding that they were provided medical care promptly.

Police also said another inmate injured himself after hitting his head on a cement bench while cuffed. He was brought to capital Male’ for treatment, according to police.

While 44 mobile phones and SIM cards including one from Male' Prison were confiscated in the operation, police said further investigations are underway.

Speaker, former President Nasheed was the target of a remote controlled bomb in capital Male’ City on May 6. He had just left his house and was about to get into his car when a bomb attached to a motorbike exploded.

While the attack took place in the country's small and congested capital city, there have been questions on how the former president -who had one of the highest security in the country- was attacked.

As police continue their investigation, parliament's committee on national security services or the 241 committee is probing on how his security was breached.

In a press conference held on June 6, police said that they had received tips from over 150 individuals in relation to the attack, by then. Following this, raids were conducted in at least 25 locations.

Four suspects have been arrested in relation to the attack, with authorities informing that they all carried “extremist ideologies”. Another 10 individuals were arrested in the counter-terrorism operations launched after the bombing.