A Commander from the Emergency Support Group (ESG) of Maldives Correctional Service has been suspended, till the probe into prison riots and beatings in Maafushi Prison concludes.

Speaking to press after concluding a visit to Maafushi Prison to assess the situation and to gather additional information about the incident that occurred last Thursday, Home Minister Imran Abdulla revealed that the Inspector General of the Ministry has been active in the prison to conduct the investigation since Thursday.

The Minister added that even though it was an inmate who initiated the attack, excessive force was used to regain control of the situation.

Minister Imran highlighted that the ESG is tasked with controlling such emergency situations in the prison. The Commander of ESG remains in charge until the situation is controlled, and hence the Commander has been suspended till the end of the ongoing investigation.

Six inmates have received various injuries during the incident.