Human rights commission probes jailed MP Faris’ abuse

Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) has begun an investigation over authorities’ abuse of MP Faris Maumoon in jail.

Police officers assaulted Faris on Saturday night after he refused to be interrogated without his lawyer present.

Faris’ lawyer Ibrahim Shameel in a tweet on Sunday said the commission has informed him that they have begun investigating the torture complaint submitted by Faris but did not confirm whether they have visited him in jail.

The lawyer earlier said that when Faris refused to be interrogated, six officers attempted to forcefully take him out of his cell, resulting in him falling to the ground and injuring his shoulder.

Since the ordeal Faris has been transferred to a jail cell without a fan or light, presumably as a form of punishment for refusing to participate in an unlawful investigation, the lawyer added.

After the abuse, Faris was taken to the capital city for an x-ray, but authorities have not provided any details of his injuries.

Sources say he has been on hunger strike since Friday night.