Police dismiss torture allegations, outline strict detainee‑handling protocols

The Maldives Police Service has rejected allegations of torture involving a foreign national arrested in a drug operation, saying there is no indication of misconduct during his arrest or detention. The case is now under review by the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives, which has assured police of full cooperation.

Police said the man did not report any injuries at the time of arrest, during transport or while in custody. Officers noted that he made no request to see a doctor and did not raise any concerns during the standard detention procedures carried out after every arrest.

The service said the Maldives has established protocols for handling detainees, shaped over years of reform and oversight. These procedures are designed to minimise physical contact, ensure transparency and prevent abuse. Officers are trained to avoid unnecessary force, and all interactions with detainees are monitored through cameras installed across holding areas, interview rooms and transport points.

Senior officers say the general investigative environment in the Maldives is not one where coercive methods are used. Most cases handled by police involve routine narcotics offences, property crimes and public order matters, and investigators work within a structured, documented process. The Maldives Correctional Service follows similar guidelines, with clear rules on the treatment of inmates and detainees, including medical access, reporting obligations and surveillance coverage.

Even critics of the institutions acknowledge that while lapses can occur at an individual level, systemic mistreatment is not characteristic of the services. Both police and corrections operate under a framework that requires documentation at every stage, from arrest to handover, making unreported physical abuse difficult to conceal.

Police said the allegation in this case does not align with the records or the detainee’s own statements during custody. They added that the relaxed and procedural nature of most investigations, combined with the presence of cameras and mandatory reporting, leaves little room for the type of conduct alleged.

The Human Rights Commission’s inquiry is ongoing, and police say they will cooperate fully as the investigation continues.