Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has condemned the kidnapping of a military officers last night where he was taken off a street on Male' City and tortured, calling it a low, cowardly act and such people who carry out such actions should not be allowed create fear in the public.

Staff Sergeant in the MNDF Coast Guard, Hassan Faheem was walking by S Hardware in Maafannu past midnight last night when he was initially attacked. A person close to the victim said that he was taken to a room nearby and tortured until sunrise for money.

The person said when they culprits did not get any money, they took his phone and dumped him near Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) where he was found by members of the public and taken in to the hospital.

In a statement condemning the events of last night, MNDF said that they strongly condemn the kidnapping and torture of Staff Sergeant Faheem where he was severely injured.

The statement also said that the Maldives Police Service are working to bring those responsible to justice.

While Staff Sergeant Faheem has now been released from hospital after treatment, MNDF said that the senior leadership is closely monitoring his status and visit Staff Sergeant Faheem at the hospital.

The statement said that President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih called the Defence Minister, Mariya Ahmed Didi to get information on the situation at the status of the victim and the Defence Minister has contacted the spouse of Staff Sergeant Faheem and assured all support from the government.

A person close to the victim said that he had injured on his back from a beating with a foreign object and has cigarette burn marks on him.