PUBLICAI Index: ASA 29/004/2002

19 July 2002

Further information on UA 41/02 (ASA 29/002/2002, 11 February 2002) and follow-up (ASA 29/003/2002, 5 June 2002) - Fear for safety/fear of torture or ill-treatment

REPUBLIC OF MALDIVESMohamed Zaki (m)] businessman

Ibrahim Luthfee (m)] businessman

Ahammadhee (m)

Fathimath Nisreen (f)

Naushad Waheed (m) ] artist/cartoonist

Amnesty International has learned that Mohamed Zaki, Ibrahim Luthfee and Ahmad Didi, also known as Ahammadhee, were taken to Jinnaee court in Male’ on 7 July and sentenced to life imprisonment.

The charges against them included "trying to overthrow the government by calling on the people to come forward and fight" and "causing hatred in the people’s minds towards the government by forming a newsletter called Sandhaanu". Fathimath Nisreen, Ibrahim Luthfee’s personal secretary, was sentenced to ten year’s imprisonment on similar charges.

The four had reportedly been brought to court on two previous occasions, on 29 May and 26 June, but they were not allowed legal representation at any time. Since 27 June they have reportedly been held on an island prison called Mafushi, 18 miles from Male’.

Naushad Waheed, who was believed to have been released, is reportedly still under house arrest in Male’, waiting for his trial to begin. The charges against him are not known.

Amnesty International is planning other action techniques to address the unfair trials and continued detention of the people named above as possible prisoners of conscience.

No further action from the network is required at present. Thank you to all those who sent appeals.