Athhar's family raised concerns around the circumstances surrounding his death, stating they have not been provided any medical documents as of yet.
The family of Adam Athhar, who held his partner hostage at knife-point on the streets of Malé on Thursday night have voiced concerns over the circumstances surrounding his death, and have claimed they do not believe he died from injuries sustained through an attempt on his own life.
According to Maldives Police Service, Athhar died at 16:08 hrs this evening, after he attempted suicide at 19:02 hrs yesterday.
The family, who are also refusing an autopsy, told Mihaaru News that his family has not been given any of his medical records and that the delay in allowing access to the records is concerning.
"The family has not been given any information. They [police] brought [Athhar] to and from the hospital whenever they wanted. [They] didn't share anything with the family," Athhar's relative said.
They also question Police's claims that Athhar died from injuries sustained from his attempted suicide and added that there was minimal ligature marks on his neck.
The family member also said that although police first informed the family that Athhar attempted to hang himself with the drawstring of his shorts, they were later informed by the agency that it was the rubber band on the shorts.
While this is so, drawstrings are not allowed inside prisons.
They further told media that Athhar's condition had been stable and that he even talked after being discharged from ADK Hospital. However, he took a turn for the worse after being taken to the prison, they claimed, adding that his condition was not good after being taken to Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH).
However, police said that Athhar's tests and CT scans done at IGMH were normal.
Following his discharge, he was taken back to Dhoonidhoo prison where Police said he attempted to take his own life. Police said they are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death, and have announced they will be getting an autopsy done on Athhar's body.
However, his family are refusing autopsy efforts and expressed that they wish to have his funeral at the earliest.
Athhar's death has also prompted an investigation by the Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM), with a meeting with the family scheduled for tonight. The family said they hope Athhar's medical documents would be handed over to them during the meeting.
In light of the events, Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology have announced a press conference for 22:00 hrs tonight.
According to the timeline of events released by the police, police said live security camera footage was how they discovered him attempting to hang himself. This was at 19:02 hrs last night. It took 23 minutes between the discovery and admitting him to the emergency department of IGMH, they said.
Thursday's hostage situation unfolded when a disagreement between Athhar and his partner over paying rent for their shared accommodation escalated. Athhar held his partner, who is a police recruit, hostage with a knife to her neck and threatened to kill her when police arrived on the scene.
Although he got on the back of a motor cycle which he made his partner drive at knife point, crowds gathered and they were unable to drive off further. Shortly after that, a police officer came from behind and hit Athhar on the head with a baton, at which point he fell along with the motorcycle and his partner. As they fell, Athhar tried to slash his partner's throat, but this attempt proved to be unsuccessful.
Police and onlookers rescued the victim, who got away with minor injuries and received treatment at IGMH.
Athhar however, had injuries to the head and was taken away on a police vehicle to ADK, and was later transferred to IGMH. Following tests, he was discharged and taken under police custody. However, his condition worsened and was taken back to the hospital, but was discharged soon after as well.
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