Home Minister Ali Ihusaan announced on Saturday that autopsies will be mandatory for all inmates who die in custody, following the controversial death of a suspect at Maafushi Prison.

During a press briefing on Saturday afternoon, Ihusaan revealed that the bodies of deceased inmates will not be released to their families without an autopsy. 

The announcement came in response to the death of Mohamed Jameel, 45, who was found in the sujoodh position in his cell on Friday morning.

Photographs of Jameel’s body showed scars and bruises on his face, prompting allegations of torture.

However, police denied these claims, stating that the bruises were likely signs of rigor mortis.

Jameel was discovered by prison guards during their routine patrol at 6:30 am, but they initially assumed he was praying and did not investigate further.

Four hours later, when he remained in the same position, the guards intervened.

He was taken to the prison’s medical center and then to the Maafushi Health Center, where he was pronounced dead at 12:45 pm.

The cause of death was determined to be cardiopulmonary arrest however autopsy was ordered due to the spreading rumors regarding signs of abuse on his body.

Minister Ihusaan noted that Jameel’s family refused consent for an autopsy, not wanting to inflict further injury on his body, and he was buried on Friday morning.

Ihusaan acknowledged the guards’ failure to notice Jameel’s condition for several hours and promised systemic reforms. 

Jameel had been awaiting trial for possession of a dangerous and sharp-edged weapon.

Earlier on Saturday, the Maldives Human Rights and Detainee Watch condemned his death, highlighting his known mental health issues and lack of medical care.

The organization called for comprehensive reforms in the Maldives’ prison and mental health care systems.