Apartment owner among those arrested in Hiyaa hostage case

One of the 12 suspects arrested for holding a man hostage in an apartment in the Hiyaa towers in Hulhumale’ Phase II last weekend includes the apartment’s owner, according to the police.

The incident took place on the night of November 8, at H9-20-11.

In a press briefing on Thursday afternoon, Superintendent of Police Ahmed Saamy provided a timeline of the events.

According to Saamy, the police received intelligence regarding a man being taken hostage and taken to an apartment at Hiyaa at 07:50 pm. The police managed to identify that the man was taken to H9, and went through CCTV camera footage to pinpoint the exact apartment. The police used a breach kit and forced entry into the apartment at 09:25 pm.

When the police entered, the victim was in the living room near the balcony, with his hair and beard cut. On the floor, the police found hair, as well as a pair of scissors and a trimmer.

Ali Ismail, the Head of Serious and High-Impact Crime Unit, told reporters that the victim was taken to the apartment under duress over a dispute over money.

“The victim said the police arrived just as they threatened to cut off his finger,” he said.

It was not the first that the apartment was raided by the police. Ismail said that the apartment was flagged by the police as a potential drug den and had been raided in the past.

In the recent raid, the police found a dozen beer cans as well as rubber and cellophane packets containing suspicious substances believed to be drugs. The police also found a knife and a box cutter, and MVR 16,700 in cash.

12 people were arrested on the spot. The police suspected all 12 were under the influence of drugs, and asked them for urine samples to test for drugs. However, all except for one refused to give urine.

According to Ismail, one of the suspects arrested in the case - Adam Hussain, 48, Jameela Manzil, L. Maavah – is the owner of the apartment where the crime took place. He was the only suspect who agreed to provide a urine sample, which came back positive for drugs.

The suspects arrested in the case are:

• Alman Ali Khalid, 22, Vehi, GDh. Vaadhoo
• Mohamed Izkan, 18, M. Hathikandu, K. Male’
• Izan Ahmed, 18, Zunightvilla, K. Guraidhoo
• Ahmed Zahid, 36, Dhanmaru, Sh. Foakaidhoo
• Adam Hussain, 48, Jameelaa Manzil, L. Maavah
• Ibrahim Nasheed, 34, Hiyaleegulshan, L. Isdhoo
• Ahmed Sameeh, 22, Nightstar, B. Goidhoo
• Ismail Wisham Mohamed, 29, V. Gaamaa, K. Male’
• Wisham Mohamed, 23, Chichandaage, GDh. Vaadhoo
• Wisaan Mohamed, 30, Hulhumale Hiya 03-17-14
• Musthaq Shakir, 37, Janavareege, GDh. Vaadhoo
• Hassan Gaalib, 38, Aares, M. Kolhufushi

All 12 were presented before the Criminal Court for their remand hearing on November 9. Alman, Izkan and Izan were remanded in custody of the police for three days, while the other nine suspects were remanded for seven days.

Following the Hiyaa hostage case, Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihusan said he will push legislative changes to seize apartments and other properties flagged for repeated crimes.