Expatriate man found beaten to death

minivan

The dead body of a 34-year-old Bangladeshi man was found badly beaten in Hulhumale’ in the early hours of this morning.

Police were called to the scene at 2.15am after the body was found by a local resident near the Wataniya antenna.

Another Bangladeshi man, Homan Ahmed, 21, has been taken in for questioning.

Police Sergeant Ahmed Shiyam said there were “some physical injuries” to the body, but said he was unable to reveal more information at this stage.

Speaking to Minivan News today, Bangladeshi High Commissioner Professor Selina Mohsin said the victim had been severely beaten by a heavy weapon such as an iron rod or piece of wood, his mouth had been tied up and his skull, fractured.

The body has now been taken to the mortuary, said Mohsin, adding it would be difficult to contact the family without knowing the exact cause of death.

“We have to know what happened before we can inform the family,” she said. “What I feel is lacking in this country is a post-mortem. Without a post-mortem it’s almost impossible to tell the cause of death. This is something which causes me great concern.”

Mohsin said she believed the incident could be linked to the trafficking of migrant workers.

Some Bangladeshi workers are believed to travel to the Maldives after paying a significant amount of money to agents who promise them well-paid jobs. On arrival, many have their passports taken away and are abandoned.

Out of 80,000 expatriate workers in the country, 38,000 are from Bangladesh, according to the ministry of human resources, youth and sports.

In February, the department of immigration and emigration gave the estimated 30,000 illegal workers and those whose work permits had expired until 1 April to leave the country, no questions asked.

The ministry of human resources, youth and sports has since begun a programme to raise awareness and register illegal workers in the country.

Illegal workers who register can continue to work in Maldives while arrangements will be made for those who wish to leave the country.

“I hope the new registration process will be started from the 1 June. I hope this makes transparent and accountable the whole migrant workers business,” said Mohsin.