No bail for suspects detained pending sentencing, in child sexual abuse and major terrorism cases: PG
PGO said the goal is to bring a comprehensive and permanent solution to issues related to detaining individuals until trial
A special national security-related operation conducted by MPS and MNDF - 10 March 2025
The Prosecutor General's Office (PG Office) has stated that there are no plans to provide leniency to those jailed pending sentencing, in cases of child sexual abuse and major terrorism cases under the new system of electronic tagging.
On Thursday, the PG Office said that they have begun the process of providing leniency to those detained until trial by applying electronic monitoring tags.
The PG Office said that the determination of who can be granted leniency under the system is based on an assessment prepared by the Maldives Police Service (MPS) to identify the risk to public safety and security if these individuals are released into society under monitoring. The PG Office stated that they are proceeding with granting leniency as they receive these assessments.
As such, the PG Office noted that by 28 May 2025, leniency has been granted to two individuals who were detained until trial through the monitoring system. They also stated that hearings related to granting leniency to an additional five individuals will be held in courts on 29 May 2025.
Further, the PG Office said that through the process, leniency will only be granted to those accused of crimes where the risk to public safety can be reduced by applying electronic monitoring tags. They stated that there are no plans to provide leniency under this system to others.
As such, the PG Office said that there are currently no plans to grant leniency under the system to those detained until trial in cases of child sexual abuse, murder cases, major terrorism cases, and major drug trafficking cases.
The PG Office stated that while the remand jails of Maldives Correctional Service are overcrowded, this initiative will provide some relief to the space constraints in remand jails and improve the facilities available to those who need to be detained.
The PG Office said that the goal is to bring a comprehensive and permanent solution to issues related to detaining individuals until trial.
