Haveeru Daily News Article 19 March 2005
http://www.haveeru.com.mv/?page=details&cat=urwbwK&id=24025

Quick Translation

Police Appeal Public Not To Harm Offenders Detained
19 March 2005
Ismail Rasheed

The Maldives Police Services has appealed to the public not harm those detained for committing offences.

According to a statement issued by the Police Services, these days, before Police attend sites where offenses such as theft, assault, illegal seizure and drugs are perpetuated, members of the public assemble to such sites and apprehend the offender and physically harm the offender to an extreme degree.

“When people do this, when the offender is [finally] brought under Police care we have to investigate the physical assault on the offender as an [additional] case and that severely impedes finding out the [actual] offense perpetuated by the offender” the Police statement said.

The Police also said that apart from such hindrances as mentioned, other problems arise such as the blocking of roads and the fact that those who attempt to disrupt public order in the island get the opportunity to do so when people assemble in one place in such a way. And that these opportunists fabricate stories aloud so as to excite the public and mislead them on the actual facts the Police said.

The statement also observed that rumours have been spread across the island that the Police release offenders committing heinous crimes shortly after such persons are brought to the Police Station.

Whosoever when brought to the Police Station accused of an offense, the person shall be either detained for investigations or released upon the instruction of the committees assigned to decide upon the cases submitted, according to the principles and guidelines set by the Government the Police said.

Ends