News Desk
Police have arrested a 43-year-old man accused of terrorising a neighbourhood in Malé, securing a 15-day remand order after a frustrated resident went on a 35-hour hunger strike over authority inaction.
Ahmed Fairish, originally from HA. Hoarafushi, was taken into custody on Saturday following months of complaints from residents living along Kashimaa Hingun and Doohimeri Magu in Male’ Henveriu ward. The Criminal Court ordered his detention for 15 days on Sunday.
According to court documents, Fairish was arrested on suspicion of intimidation, property damage, assault, and obstructing police officers from performing their duties. The court noted that releasing him would pose a direct threat to public safety, though Fairish denied all allegations brought against him.
The arrest follows a protest by local resident Mohamed Saeed, who holds senior public roles. Saeed launched a hunger strike from Saturday morning until Sunday afternoon, at a police station, refusing food for 35 hours to demand action after eighteen months of ignored complaints regarding Fairish’s continuous public nuisance and disruptive behaviour in the area.
Saeed ended his hunger strike today after receiving firm guarantees from government authorities that the issue would be addressed properly. Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihusaan personally called Saeed to assure him that state institutions would intervene and take concrete action to resolve the matter.
