Authorities begin releasing detainees held without trial, under monitoring

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has announced the commencement of a new initiative to grant relief to individuals in pre-trial detention. Beginning Thursday, selected detainees will be placed under an electronic monitoring system, subject to conditions set by the court. The move is part of broader efforts by state institutions to address and resolve issues related to prolonged pre-trial detention.

Taking to social media platform ‘X’ on Wednesday night, the president revealed that through this initiative that began Thursday, solutions will be found for this long-standing issue, and relief will be provided to the detention of those who meet the conditions.

On the May 8, a meeting was held at the President's Office with the heads of relevant institutions to discuss the written proposals submitted by some individuals advocating for the rights of those in pre-trial detention. Extensive discussions were held at the meeting regarding the implementation of an electronic monitoring system in giving these individuals a chance.

The Prosecutor General's Office (PG Office) revealed that they have decided to review the detention of individuals in pre-trial detention who could be granted relief through an electronic monitoring system and with conditions set by the court, and to proceed with granting relief to their detention.

The PG Office said that to determine who could be granted relief under the system, a special assessment will be prepared through the Maldives Police Service (MPS) and Maldives Correctional Service (MCS) to identify the risks to community safety and security if these individuals are released into society with conditions that allow for their monitoring. This assessment will specify the level of monitoring these institutions deem necessary for those granted relief. The PG Office stated that this assessment will be prepared by the police institution at the request of their office.

Relief through the electronic monitoring system will be granted after the PG Office receives the assessment, and if they deem it appropriate to grant relief based on the assessment's findings, by submitting a request to the court for detention review. Relief will be granted under Article 66(b)(6) of Law No. 12/2016 (Criminal Procedure Act), as a condition set by the court for a maximum of 100 days.

The PG Office will submit to the court for review of the conditions of those granted relief under this system every 100 days, and the review process will continue. If any person granted relief violates any condition set by the court, the PG Office will immediately request the court to re-detain that person.

The opportunity for those seeking relief through the electronic monitoring system to submit their requests with reasons to the PG Office has been opened from May 28. Applications can be submitted using the "Application Form for Relief through Electronic Monitoring System" from the PG Office. Alternatively, the detained person's lawyer can submit the related application to the office through their online portal.

The PG Office stated that the application form will be available on their website and at their counter, and arrangements will be made for the form to be available at detention centers of the Maldives Correctional Service.