Suspect found dead in cell at Male’ Custodial

A suspect in police custody was found dead on Friday in his jail cell at the Male’ Custodial.

A police spokesperson said on Saturday that the suspect, identified as a 45-year-old Maldivian male, was found unresponsive in his cell on Friday afternoon, and was taken to the Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH).

Quoting hospital officials, the police said the man was already deceased when taken to the hospital.

According to the spokesperson, the 45-year-old was detained to execute a warrant to have him presented to court in police custody.

The news of the death has been shared with the Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) and the National Integrity Commission (NIC), added the spokesperson.

The case is under investigation by the police.

The latest custodial death comes after a 41-year-old died on April 15 at the Male’ Custodial.

Police said they will be conducting an autopsy to determine the cause of death.