The Maldivian Democratic Party has called for the immediate and unconditional release of the party’s Shadow Defense Minister and MDP President for the Malé constituency Mr. Amin Faisal and others arrested in the aftermath of protests demanding further investigations on the death of Hussain Salah. Hussain Salah’s corpse was found in the morning of 15th April 2007 with severe bruises, floating in the inner harbour across a police detention centre in Male’ where he was detained.

The MDP further condemned the summary and serial nature of brutal attacks by the Police on MDP Chairperson Mr. Mohamed Nasheed and underlined the fact that Mr. Mohamed Nasheed being among hundreds of mourners has no relation or reason for his arrest.  The MDP also strongly condemned the Police assault in Male’ (on 15 April 2007), on a gathering of mourners, and the continued practice of inflicting injury on scores of people in peaceful gatherings.

The Police arrested 30 people in the aftermath of peaceful protests calling for further investigations into the circumstances and cause of death of Hussein Salah.

The Police are still holding 21 people in custody including MDP Shadow Defence Minister Mr. Ameen Faisal. 15 people were arrested on 15 April during protests at the Aasahara Cemetery in Male’ which spontaneously broke out following Police attempts to bury Hussein Salah’s body without a death certificate. Two were released soon after, with another four let out in the early hours the following day, including Mr. Mohamed Nasheed.

Another 15 people were arrested at various times around the Malé morgue where Salah’s body was kept prior to being flown out to Colombo for post-mortem examinations. Public tensions heightened following a Police statement on state TV that doctors after a CT scan had determined injuries to the head and broken sinus bones as the possible causes of death.

Concern is growing about the condition of Mr. Ameen Faisal, being held in solitary confinement in Dhoonidhoo Prison. The police have asked his family to send clothes and medication to the jail; an indication that he is to be held there much longer than is usual.

Mr. Ameen Faisal’s sister, Dr. Farahanaz Didi in a press appeal said: “I am very concerned for his safety. If Anni was beaten up then there is no reason to believe that the police will treat Ameen any better! I am also very concerned for his health as he is a diabetic (Type II).”

Mr. Amin Faisal previously spent nearly three weeks in Dhoonidhoo Prison in November last year after being arrested in the run up to an MDP protest. He went on hunger strike and told reporters at the time that authorities had made no provision for his health conditions.

The MDP detainee unit currently has full records of 25 of their members under arrest including those held in unrelated cases. Details on others in detention have also been reported to the party. The records show six were arrested on March 29 in Kinbidhoo Island. Five were arrested on March 30 in Malé, either near Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital or the Mercury Light Café. One man was arrested near Parliament on April 9. Five days later three people were arrested during protests on Majeedee Magu in Malé and five in Addu Atoll.

The Police have refused to release details on a number of detainees arrested following protests demanding further investigations on circumstances and cause of death of Hussain Salah.