The Maldives Police Service has announced that a post-mortem will be conducted on the body of a 48-year-old man who died in custody yesterday.

The man, identified as Ahmed Afrah  was detained on Friday and held in a facility in Male’ Atoll used to house police detainees. He died yesterday after being taken to the hospital.

According to the police, Afrah collapsed while in detention. Officers stated that he was taken for medical treatment immediately, but he later passed away.

A major crime investigation has been opened into the incident. The police service confirmed that information had been shared with the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives and the Integrity Commission.

Speaking to MMTV today, a police media official said the post-mortem was being planned to support further investigation into his death.