Unlawful detention, assault at café: One from three suspects granted condition release

While three Maldivians have been arrested for allegedly unlawfully detaining and assaulting individuals inside a café last month, Criminal Court has released one of the suspects, citing that it was his first criminal offence.

The details emerged following the Criminal Court's decision on Thursday to extend the remand of 19-year-old Ifham Ahmed, Ifan, GA. Mamendhoo, one of the suspects in the case. He faces allegations of assault, criminal intimidation, criminal coercion and unlawful detention. The youth has denied all charges.

According to the court order, the suspects held the individuals inside a café. Citing the Investigation Officer (IO), the court noted that the victims were threatened with a glass bottle if they failed to hand over their phones. The IO further stated that the victims were unlawfully detained for approximately three hours, during which they were filmed on mobile phones in a manner intended to humiliate and publicly defame them.

On Thursday, the Criminal Court ordered that Ifham's remand be extended by another 20 days, until the first of next month.

Police confirmed last night that the other two suspects arrested in connection with the case are 24-year-old Aiham Adil, Zenith, GA. Mamendhoo and 21-year-old Mohamed Shunaan, Dhunthari, K. Kaashidhoo.

Court records indicate that Aiham was granted conditional release on October 31st. The conditions included a travel ban and the seizure of his passport. The court order stated that he was released because this was his first alleged offence and the first time he had been taken into custody.

The remand period for Shunaan, the third suspect in the case, has not been confirmed.

Cases involving abduction, various forms of intimidation and extortion have become a recurring concern in the Greater Malé area.