Lawyer Maumoon Hameed, representative for Ismail Rasheed, one of the individuals arrested in connection to the murder of writer Yaamyn Rasheed, has made some explosive claims about his client.

The lawyer made the statements in RaajjeTV’s ‘Fala Surukhee’ program on Monday night.

Hameed said he did not believe the investigation into the murder of Yaamyn Rasheed was progressing fairly, stressing on the importance of openness in the investigation. He added the investigation must be evidence based and should not be directed at a specific individual.

Hameed said his client, Ismail Rasheed was arrested two weeks after the murder. He was transferred to Kaashidhoo island. Hameed noted that his client was deprived from meeting his family. The first meeting with his family, Hameed said, was in the presence of the investigative team.

‘They said he [Ismail Rasheed] was one of the best-behaved individuals in the place, there are no charges that can be raised on him, maybe there’s something we can do. The family responded to the contrary, asked Police to treat him fairly within the procedures. They said they didn’t want to free him through other means. They said if he’d done something, then he must be penalized justly. Police wanted the family to dismiss their lawyers, appoint the ones by state. In exchange, they’ll return him back to the family, the way he came to them,’ Hameed said.

Maumoon Hameed said this was deeply concerning and had said that they could not comply with that. He added that Police had revealed their intentions during the meeting with the family.

‘The family asked whether the Police wished to have Ismail Rasheed as a state witness, which they affirmed,’ Hameed said.

Hameed noted that the family was given time to consider the offer. Ismail Rasheed was transferred to Vilingili Police Station, to grant easier access to meet him. Later on, Hameed said they had granted access to his client and pressured to take the prosecution’s offer.

‘Then it was very easy for the family to meet. Was able to meet five or six times. They called me and requested me to meet the Deputy Commissioner of Police. They said the Deputy Commissioner was in charge of the entire operation. After we refused to comply, then they said they will bring in who is outside of the circle. That’s what had happened,’ Hameed said.

Hameed also noted that his client was abused during his time in Kaashidhoo island.

‘In his statement, he said when he was in Kaashidhoo Police Station he was deprived from sleeping. His water was laced. He had headaches, was extremely forgetful. But he refused to comply,’ he said.

Maumoon Hameed further said his client’s photo was published against regulations as well. Regulations demand that a suspect’s photo must be taken immediately on arrest. However, Ismail Rasheed’s photo was taken 40 days after arrest and had not allowed him to be presentable.

Police had previously denied claims made by the family on the issue.