Political

Police gathers more evidence, makes more arrests

Maldives Police Service has stated that individuals detained on allegations of involving in a coup attempt, bribing parliamentarians, judges and influencing judicial rulings are not cooperating with the investigation.

Since the individuals in custody are not cooperating with the investigation, the police are working to file an obstruction case with Prosecutor General, Superintendent of Police, Ahmed Shifan told a press conference. He said the Police Service have obtained additional documentary evidence within the course of the ongoing investigation with 13 people arrested.

The additional evidence were found in relation to Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed of having profited from bribes, having unduly influenced and bribed the judiciary towards delivering verdicts and having attempted to overthrow a legitimate government, according to the police.

The Police Service confirmed that Abdulla Saeed is one of the beneficiaries of the USD 2.4 million loan from a prominent Maldivian business. The Police have also obtained documentary evidence that Abdulla Saeed had purchased goods and properties, which are beyond the means of a Justice’s income, locally and abroad, confirming that the Chief Justice had compromised the information infrastructure of the Supreme Court.

Contrary to rumors, Maldives Police Service said it is acting in accordance with Article 38 of the Common Police Guideline whereby all detainees will have equal access to lawyers and no restrictions, other than those enforced by the law, will be imposed on the detainees.