Police: Prisoners

Police have said that the escape of the two convicts, Ibrahim Shahum Adam, G. Cosy, Male’, and Fariyash Ahmed, Javaahiruvaadhy, Ga. Maamendhoo, from Maafushi prison, was discovered 24 hours after they actually escaped.

In a press conference at Iskandhar Koshi this evening, held to provide information on the special operation conducted to find the two dangerous criminals, Chief Superintendent Ismail Naveen said that the two criminals escaped some time on 16 October 2014 evening and police came to know about their escape after 24 hours.

“This was not something that happened abruptly. This was something which has been planned well before,” said Chief Superintendent Naveen.

Chief Superintendent Naveen said that the two prisoners who were in two different cells escaped by sawing their way through air vents fixed at the toilet of Cell 14, Wing 3, Unit 9, of Maafushi prison. He said that as soon as police got to know about their escape, police searched all possible places including nearby islands; and started checking and monitoring vessels that departed from Maafushi.

Chief Superintendent Naveen said that apart from searching Male’ and nearby islands, resorts, and many vehicles and people in Male’ were also searched and checked in the efforts to find the prisoners.

Chief Superintendent Naveen said that residences in some islands were searched as well, under warrants issued by the court; and that police got public support at its maximum in conducting the operation.

Responding to a question asked by Sun Online journalist, Chief Superintendent Naveen said that the two criminals were not suspected to have committed any crime after their escape. Chief Superintendent Naveen said that action would be taken after investigation against people who were involved in hiding the fugitives. He added that the reason for their escape and security condition of the prison were being investigated.