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Amnesty International report condemns detention of Sandhaanu writers and distributors AI Index: ASA 29/001/2003 25 June 2003 UA 186/03 Fear of torture or ill-treatment/incommunicado detention/prisoners of conscience Maldives: Mohamed Zaki (male) Ahmed Ibrahim Didi (male)
Mohamed Zaki and Ahmed Ibrahim Didi are serving life prison sentences, handed down in July 2002, for writing articles critical of the government. Around 20 June, they were reportedly taken to the police headquarters in Malé for interrogation. Amnesty International has learned that they were then transferred to Dhoonidhoo detention centre. They have been held incommunicado since their transfer from Maafushi. The transfer and interrogation of the two men follows the escape of another prisoner of conscience, Ibrahim Moosa Luthfee. There are fears that Mohamed Zaki and Ahmed Ibrahim Didi may be tortured or ill-treated in an attempt to obtain information from them about the escape and whereabouts of Ibrahim Moosa Luthfee. BACKGROUND INFORMATION Mohamed Zaki, Ahmed Ibrahim Didi and two other prisoners of conscience, Ibrahim Moosa Luthfee and Fathimath Nisreen, were arrested between 30 January and 1 February 2002 by the National Security Service (NSS). They were accused of writing for Sandhaanu, an Internet e-mail magazine critical of the government which continued to be circulated in secret. The four were held in solitary confinement without access to their relatives for several months.
Ibrahim Moosa Luthfee developed a severe eye infection while in detention and following concerns about his wellbeing, was eventually sent to the Sri Lankan capital Colombo for medical treatment. While he was receiving specialist medical care in late May 2003, friends helped him escape. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in English or your own language: - expressing concern at the recent transfer and interrogation of Mohamed Zaki and Ahmed Ibrahim Didi; - calling on the authorities to ensure that Mohamed Zaki and Ahmad Ibrahim Didi are treated humanely and to guarantee that they are not subjected to torture or ill-treatment; - calling for the two men to be granted immediate access to lawyers, relatives and any medical attention they may require; - calling for their immediate and unconditional release as prisoners of conscience, imprisoned solely for exercising their right to freedom of speech; - urging that other prisoners of conscience, including Fathimath Nisreen, be released immediately and unconditionally. APPEALS TO: President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom The President's Palace Maafannu Theemuge Malé 2002 Republic of Maldives Telegram: President Gayoom, Malé Republic of Maldives Fax: + 960 32 55 00 Salutation: Dear President Gayoom COPIES TO: diplomatic representatives of Maldives accredited to your country. PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 6 August 2003. |
Maldives Culture is an independent internet magazine of Maldivian cultural issues.
Editors and translators: Michael O'Shea and Fareesha Abdulla, Australia
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