Transparency Maldives has called to expedite the investigation into the death of Mohamed Jameel, and to end the practice of arbitrary detention.

The anti-corruption watchdog publicized a statement on social media platform ‘X’ on Monday, expressing deep concern over the recent and sudden death of the inmate, detained at Maafushi Prison in Kaafu atoll pending the end of his trial.

Jameel, 45 and native to Funadhoo island of Shaviyani atoll passed away some time on Friday while he was under the care of Maldives Correctional Service.

Extending deepest condolences to the deceased inmate’s family and friends during this difficult time, TM stressed that the inmate’s death demands an immediate and thorough investigation into the circumstances it, in order to ensure transparency and accountability within the prison system of Maldives.

Stressing the criticality of addressing systemic deficiencies within the island nation’s prison system, TM called to advocate for reforms to ensure rights and liberties guaranteed to detainees under the custody and care of the state are protected.

Shedding light on the urgent need to ensure all detainees are provided with medical care without discrimination, the anti-corruption watchdog expressed concern that Jameel was imprisoned instead of being provided with the necessary mental health care and treatment to support rehabilitation, as he was diagnosed with serious mental conditions.

Going on to emphasize that the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM)’s annual report for 2023 indicated that a total of 231 complaints were submitted by people in prisons regarding the health services they were provided, TM revealed that these complaints included delays in getting the required medications, follow-ups as well as obtaining care from specialized doctors.

The anti-corruption watchdog went on to state that indefinite or arbitrary detention goes against key principles of international human rights law and denies detainees essential basic human rights, adding that during their visit to the island nation from 29 November 2021 – 9 December 2021, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention observed that pre-trial detainees constitute nearly 30 percent of those who are presently held across detention facilities spanning the island nation.

Further, the UN Working Group is to have noted that while authorities report the average time spent in pre-trial detention according to the authorities is about one and a half years, it is very common for people to be in pre-trial detention for three to four years, and sometimes even longer.

TM stressed that this practice is incompatible with the obligations under Article 9 of the ICCPR.

With this, the anti-corruption watchdog urged HRCM to conduct an independent investigation into Jameel’s death, in order to determine whether there were any infringements of rights and liberties provided to detainees in this matter, as well as to hold those responsible for any potential malpractices, negligence or mistreatment to account.

TM went on to call on relevant authorities to respect the privacy and wishes of the family of the deceased inmate in doing so.

In addition to this, Transparency pushed the government to ensure that pre-trial detention is only used as an exceptional measure and to urgently revise the current practice to make greater use of alternatives to detention, including conditional release, bail and reporting.

TM also called on the government to invest in public health care systems to ensure universal mental health support is available and accessible to all, especially to reduce inequality in care and avoid incarceration of people suffering from mental health and drug-use disorders.

Further, they have urged the state to improve the oversight mechanisms in prison systems to monitor prison conditions and treatment of detainees to identify and actively work towards bringing meaningful and effective reforms.

Transparency has urged the state to commit to meaningful reform of the prison system as well, including enhancing governance mechanisms and the management structure as well as the rehabilitation and reintegration services across all relevant agencies to ensure accessibility of essential service to clients.

The state has also been urged to expedite the investigation process and publicize the findings by the Inspector of Correctional Services to ensure transparency.

Jameel had been in custody since 12 July 2023, in connection with accusations of being involved in a case of violence and using dangerous and sharp weapons for assault and was also earlier arrested for allegedly assaulting former State Minister at the Ministry of Environment, Ali Solih and for churning chaos while Friday prayers were ongoing at Salman Mosque.

The Maldives Police Service (MPS) has revealed that their findings so far do not suggest that there were any suspicions or foul play surrounding his death.

The police institution on Saturday, publicized a CCTV footage to media, showing the last moments Jameel spent inside his cell. He was found in the prostrating position from 07:45am to 11:34am, believed to have been in prayer. As he was praying, officers did not enter the cell. However, prison officers entered the cell after he was found in the same position hours later.

Maldives Correctional Service stated that Jameel was taken to the Maafushi Prison Medical Center to provide CPR, after he was found motionless. Corrections confirmed that he was taken to the Maafushi Health Center at 12:13 and that doctors at the center pronounced him dead at around 12:45, from cardiopulmonary arrest.

Following the inmate’s death, pictures began circulating on social media, showing bruises on Jameel’s body which has sparked allegations of torture. A CT scan was conducted to see if the results suggest any other factors that could be useful in the probe.

Authorities have revealed that the bruises were common signs in a decomposing body and brushed off allegations and rumors that Jameel had been tortured in prison.

The police institution has revealed that even doctors did not believe that the bruises on Jameel’s body were caused by torture.

At the time the body was examined, officials from HRCM and the National Integrity Commission were also present.

Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusaan revealed that authorities had initially decided to conduct an autopsy on Jameel’s body, to address the rumor regarding signs of assault.

However, as the family had repeatedly asked for the body to be buried without conducting an autopsy, Ihusaan stated that the decision was withdrawn and permission was given to bury him.

Ihusaan also stated that the bruises on Jameel’s body were from body discoloration and that the remaining marks on his body were from the position he was in before he died. Jameel’s mouth and nose were also foaming when he was found.

Authorities do not believe there was any foul play in the case.