Hassan Evan Naseem (; 1984 – 19 September 2003), commonly referred to as Evan Naseem, was a Maldivian man whose death became a lever for the current, open, political reform activities in the Maldives. He was serving a jail term at Maafushi Prison for drug offences when he was beaten to death by the National Security Service personnel of the Security unit during a riot which endangered the lives of the prison security personnel.
Early life
Evan attended Majeediyya School for his secondary education. He was jailed several times for drug offences and other related crimes.
Dispute between inmates
On 19 September 2003, inmates of Evan Naseem's cell crossed the partitions, on two occasions, to assault a person named Ali Didi who was detained in a different cell. This incident was reported to Maafushi Jail Office by the security unit in writing, along with two separate lists of people who crossed the partitions. Evan's name was not on either of the lists.
Later the same night a team of five security personnel came to Evan's cell with a list of people who were involved in assaulting Ali Didi and throwing objects at other cells. Though Evan's name was not on the list submitted earlier to Maafushi Jail Office, the new list included his name. There he was beaten up by 12 security personnel. He was beaten up with bare hands, wooden planks and riot batons. On various occasions he lost consciousness because of continuous beatings. When he no longer responded, he was taken to Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital in the early morning of 20 September 2003. After she noticed, she pulled the cover off his body and saw how he was beaten and tortured.
News of the death of Evan broke out quickly in the capital city Malé. A large number of people gathered at his burial service. The findings of the commission were released to the public with the title "Report on the Death of Hassan Evan Naseem". However, several sections from the public report were omitted due to national security concerns. Charges were pressed against 12 people, however 8 people were sentenced to death.
External links
- Report on the Death of Hassan Evan Naseem
- presidencymaldives.gov.mv
- web.amnesty.org