PG to request top court to speed up case of appeal on High Court's ruling on charges against terror suspect

Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem has revealed that he will be requesting the Supreme Court to speed up the case the High Court’s ruling in Mohamed Ameen’s trial to be appealed at the top court.

Speaking to RaajjeMV, PG Shameem revealed that the High Court ruling states that the Criminal Procedure Code needed to be followed in the case.

However, Shameem noted that the Anti-Terrorism Act was established to ease the procedure for cases linked to terrorism, under the Criminal Procedure code, as the mandates under the code prove to be difficult. The law grants specific powers upon the Maldives Police Service, state institutions as well as the PG Office.

He noted that it is currently not allowed to arrest individuals in the absence of a court order, however, the special act vests this power in these authorities.

He stressed that the High Court is mandated to follow the code of practice under the Anti-Terrorism Act.  

The High Court dismissed the terrorism charges filed against Mohamed Ameen, native to Fuvahmulah City and arrested under allegations of recruiting persons to terrorist organizations, which in turn releases the suspect from custody.

Although the High Court revealed that the charges were dismissed as they were filed ater the statute of limitation was expired, PG Shameem stated that the charges were filed within the mandated period.

Ameen was charged with being involved in a terrorist organization and plotting to carry out an act of terrorism.

The PG Office revealed that decision to appeal the ruling at the country’s top court shortly after.