(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has expressed concern about four cyber-dissidents – Mohamed Zaki, Ahmad Didi, Fathimath Nisreen and Naushad Waheed – arrested on 13 August 2004 as police broke up a pro-democracy demonstration. The organisation says it is especially worried about their prison conditions and has called for their immediate release. RSF also called on the […]
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has expressed concern about four cyber-dissidents – Mohamed Zaki, Ahmad Didi, Fathimath Nisreen and Naushad Waheed – arrested on 13 August 2004 as police broke up a pro-democracy demonstration. The organisation says it is especially worried about their prison conditions and has called for their immediate release.
RSF also called on the European Commission to put into effect a resolution passed by the European Parliament in mid-September to freeze all financial aid to the Maldives.
“President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom continues to rely on hypocrisy in his dealings with the international community. He has indeed just lifted the state of emergency, but most of the demonstrators who were arrested on 13 August are still being held,” said RSF.
“We particularly fear for the life of Ahmad Didi, who is currently in the emergency room of the government hospital [in the capital, Malé],” the organisation added.
Didi, who suffers from heart problems, is reportedly in critical condition. He has been beaten several times and was held in solitary confinement at Dhoonidhoo prison. His wife has been able to visit him only once and in the presence of police officers.
Nisreen is also imprisoned in Dhoonidhoo. Her mother, the only person who has been allowed to see her, said that she had been ill-treated but declined to give further details.
Zaki was placed under house arrest on 6 October after spending a month at Maafushi prison and several weeks in hospital. Waheed was initially held at Malé police station but then transferred to Dhoonidhoo.
The Maldives Human Rights Commission has reported after visiting them that the prisoners’ treatment was “inhumane”. Their families say they have been unable able to find any lawyers prepared to defend them.
The state of emergency declared after the demonstration was only lifted on 10 October, under pressure from US and European delegations. Nevertheless, the European Commission has until now refused to apply European Parliamentary recommendations to freeze all aid and issue a travel advisory to tourists planning to visit the archipelago.
