12 arrested in Hiyaa hostage case released; case sent to PGO for charges

The police have asked the Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) for charges against 12 people arrested for holding a man hostage in an apartment in the Hiyaa towers in Hulhumale’ Phase II following a dispute over money back in November.

The incident took place on the night of November 8, at H9-20-11, and led to thee arrest of 12 people in the apartment, including the apartment’s owner.

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

The police said on Tuesday that the agency concluded the investigation into the case and forwarded it to the PGO for charges on December 21.

“The people detained in the case were released by the court,” added the spokesperson.

According to the timeline shared by the police, the agency received intelligence regarding a man being taken hostage and taken to an apartment at Hiyaa at 07:50 pm on November 8. 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 November 8 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.

The 12 people in the apartment were arrested on the spot.

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