MDP member Shaheem's family accuses authorities of 'intentional torture'

Detained member of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), Abdulla Shaheem’s family has accused authorities of torturing him ‘intentionally’.

Shaheem was violently arrested from an opposition rally on 16th February, under the state of emergency declared by President Abdulla Yameen on 5th February. He had sustained injuries in the arrest, including a dislocated shoulder and swollen knee, and was only brought for treatment over two weeks after his arrest.

On Tuesday, his wife Minaam Mohamed said that police officers are still refusing to allow him use of a knee guard, adding that the medical officer at Atholhuvehi had informed her that the doctors’ prescription “does not specifically say knee guard” and that “therefore a patient in need of diagnostic arthroscopy and meniscus repair does not need help supporting the injured knee”.

While Shaheem was brought to Malé City for treatment on Monday, his wife noted that her husband who “was able to walk properly” 19 days ago, is now “limping painfully”.

Minaam further highlighted that the doctors at the police clinic, where he was treated at on Monday, had referred him to a specific doctor, and said that her offer to make an appointment with the said doctor “was also refused”.

Shameem’s family has filed a case at the Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM), regarding the concerns over police’s treatment of Shaheem, during arrest and while in custody.

While a number of people have been arrested under the state of emergency, lawyers have said that authorities are restricting the rights of those arrested, including the right to legal representation.