Harassment suspect Fairish runs away after transfer to NDA facility in Himmafushi

Ahmed Fairish, 43, who was arrested in Male' city over repeated public harassment complaints, has escaped from custody after being transferred to the National Drug Agency (NDA) facility in Himmafushi for treatment. 

Fairish was detained earlier this month following a hunger strike by a local resident who said authorities had failed to resolve the case despite more than a year of complaints.

Police said Fairish, who has a prior detention record, was arrested on charges including intimidation, damage to property, assault, and obstructing police duty. On October 18, the court ordered him to be remanded for 15 days.

According to police, Fairish was transported to the NDA facility for treatment as part of his remand process. However, he fled the premises on Saturday afternoon, prompting a search operation.

Police had previously noted that Fairish had been taken into custody multiple times, but resumed harassing residents of his neighborhood upon release. They reiterated that while legal action is taken whenever complaints are filed, they cannot continue to keep someone in custody.