The eight officers of the police Special Operations (SO) unit, arrested under allegations of conspiring to overthrow the government, have been transferred to house arrest.

They were transferred with conditions, including ‘not to use any technologies to communicate with anyone’, as well as to inform the court if there are any changes to his place of residence.

The court further informed them that if they violate any of the conditions, they will be immediately transferred back to jail.

While they have been transferred to house arrest for a 30-day period, the court also informed the police to present them to court after the period expires, to determine whether their remand should be extended.

While they were kept detained at Maafushi Prison, earlier in April there were reports of their head been shaven without their consent. However, Maldives Correctional Service (MCS) said that this was done ‘as per regulation’.

The eight arrested officers include; former SO Commander, Inspector if Police Saif Hussain; Station Inspector Faiz Mohamed; former SWAT team member, Sergeant Abdulla Riyaz; Corporal Ali Naseer; Corporal Hassan Naseer; Corporal Mohamed Shameen; Sergeant Ahmed Asim; and Sergeant Mohamed Rishwan.

Since their arrests back in March, the officers have been dismissed from their duties. According to the dismissal notice, they are accused of conspiring with some individuals, to overthrow the government. They are also accused of trying to against the country’s security forces, and causing ‘distrust’ in the public regarding the security forces.

Former Police Commissioner Ahmed Areef has also been arrested under the same allegation, and has been accused of terrorism. He has since been dismissed from the post as well.