Adam Athuhar, who was arrested last week on charges of kidnapping his girlfriend and holding her hostage, has died following a suicide attempt while in police custody. The incident has prompted an investigation, with authorities emphasizing transparency in the ongoing inquiry.
According to the Maldives Police Service, Athuhar attempted to take his own life by hanging himself inside his cell at Dhoonidhoo Prison on Sunday night. Officers discovered him in time to initiate a rescue and immediately transported him to the emergency room at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) in Malé City. Despite medical efforts, Athuhar was pronounced dead while undergoing treatment.
Police have confirmed that an autopsy will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death. “The Maldives Police Service will continue to cooperate fully with the independent investigations into this case,” the police statement read, highlighting their commitment to a thorough and transparent process.
The Ministry of Homeland Security responded to rising speculation by holding a press conference, during which they presented video footage of Athuhar’s suicide attempt. The video, shown to journalists, aimed to dispel allegations circulating on social media that suggested Athuhar might have died due to torture while in police custody. Reporters, including those Sauvees Online, who viewed the footage confirmed that the scenes align with the official timeline previously released by police.
Athuhar’s arrest stemmed from a tense standoff last Thursday in which he allegedly held his girlfriend hostage with a knife in their rented home in Malé City. Authorities reported that Athuhar threatened to kill her if police intervened. During the incident, officers managed to subdue him by using force. Footage of the confrontation, which circulated widely on social media, showed an officer striking Athuhar with a baton to neutralize him.
Screenshot from video footage showing Adam Athuhar holding his girlfriend hostage at knifepoint, leading to his eventual arrest by police.
Following his arrest, Athuhar was initially treated at ADK Hospital for injuries sustained during the scuffle. He was later transferred to IGMH for further observation after experiencing vomiting. Upon discharge, he was formally arrested and ordered by the court to remain in custody until his trial. He was subsequently held at Dhoonidhoo Custodial Center, where the suicide attempt took place.
Athuhar’s troubled history includes a prior prison sentence in 2022. However, he had been released under conditional terms during the administration of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. His recent actions have once again drawn attention to his past, raising questions about the effectiveness of his previous release conditions.
As the investigation continues, authorities are urging the public to refrain from spreading unverified information and to allow the independent inquiry to run its course.
