The Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) has said that it is working to identify the officers involved in the arrest and assault of RaajjeTV journalist Hussain Hassan.
Hassan was summoned to the Commission on Sunday morning, where his team submitted photo and video evidence from the night.
Speaking afterwards, RaajjeTV’s legal advisor Mohamed Nishan noted that while HRCM had taken Hassan’s statement previously, that they had inquired further on the matter, during Sunday’s meeting.
The Commission had taken Hassan’s statement while he was admitted to ADK Hospital, after going into monitor his condition and take photos of his injuries.
Hassan was brutally arrested while covering an opposition rally on 16th February. Video footage shows him having difficulty breathing, as he was carried into a police vehicle from police headquarters that night. He was later taken to ADK Hospital, where he was admitted for over 24 hours, before being sent to Sri Lanka for further treatment.
While police have claimed that Hassan was never taken into custody, HRCM said that it is investigating this claim as well. HRCM added it has obtained the details of all officers dispatched to control protests, for the investigation.
While the assault case has also been filed at the National Integrity Commission (NIC), Hassan has been asked to present himself to the Commission at 11am on Monday.
