Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) has said that 16 inmates are being held inside a metal container in Male’ jail.

Speaking at a press conference held last Thursday, member of HRCM Ahmed Abdul Kareem said that the commission confirmed the situation after a visit to the jail due to reports regarding the matter.

“They are held inside a metal container in the grounds of Jail. It has been long since they were being allowed to go out even” Ahmed Abdul Kareem said.

HRCM says that the size of the container is 18 foot x 10 foot and the toilet they use is also in one corner of the container while they also have to eat inside it.

According to Ahmed Abdul Kareem, jail officers say that these prisoners are not allowed to go out of the container as there aren’t enough number of officers to control them. He also said that 200 inmates are already held in the jail of capacity 100.