Individual under state care had informed NDA of a possible attack, says family

Family of the individual who was stabbed while under state care on Wednesday says that the National Drug Agency (NDA) ‘had been informed of a possible attack’.

The stabbing took place while the youth was under NDA’s care, to be transferred to the Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre in Himmafushi island. He was stabbed in the back, and was taken to ADK Hospital for treatment immediately. He has since been transferred to Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH).

RaajjeMV understands that the 21-year-old had sought treatment for addiction on his own.

A family member told RaajjeMV that he was one of the many individuals that were being transferred to HImmafushi on Wednesday, adding that they were being transported to the ferry via a pickup. The family member further said that after having learnt of a possible attack, he had informed the NDA himself.

Noting that NDA officials had ignored his warning, the family member said that he was stabbed as soon as the pickup left. The family added that if he had refused to get on the pickup, ‘he would have to spend an extra three months seeking treatment’.

However, NDA denied any knowledge of the attack to RaajjeMV, with its director Ali Shareef saying that they had not been informed of any such thing.

When asked whether the victim had reported anything about an attack, Shareef said that he was unable to disclose any further information as the investigation ‘is ongoing’.

Noting that there were around 10 individuals on the pickup at the time of the stabbing, Shareef added that NDA security officers were present at the time too.

He further said that the agency ‘will provide full cooperation’ to the Maldives Police Service (MPS) in the investigation.