:: Dhivehi Observer :: Peoples Press ::

"We expect death penalty for these 12" Dr. Saeed, Attorney General

Maldives State Prosecutor also on Monday filed legal proceedings against 12 National Security Services officers for the torture and death in custody of inmate Evan Naseem on 19 Sept 2003 which resulted in the widespread riots in Male the next day.

They were identified as NSS Privates Mohamed Shiuneez, Abdulla Ibrahim, Badhuru Mohamed, Ibrahim Rameez, Ahmed Shujaz, Shiyad Mufeed, Mohamed Alim, Mohamed Mansoor, Ibrahim Shareef, Ahmed Ilham, Ahmed Riyaz, and Lance Corporal Ahmed Niyaz. These 12 were identified by a Presidential Commission as confessing to torturing Evan.
"We expect death penalty for these 12," said Dr. Saeed.

Capital punishment, which is allowed under the Maldives justice system, is also expected for another five security officers in connection with shooting dead three more inmates on 20 Sept 2003 which resulted in the mass riots on the streets of Male. Legal proceedings were initiated on Monday against Captain Adam Mohamed, Sergeant Shahid Ali Maniku, Private Ahmed Mujutaba Hussain, Private Hassan Rifau, and Private Ibrahim Shareef for shooting dead the inmates without orders.

Another officer, Lieutenant Mohamed Ashwan, will be prosecuted on lesser charges, Dr. Hassan Saeed said.