Authorities Dismiss Parole Board, Return Rasheed to Custody Amid Public Backlash

The Parole Board has been reconstituted and Ibrahim Rasheed—one of Addu City’s most notorious drug kingpins—has been returned to custody following a wave of public outcry and media scrutiny over his controversial release while serving a life sentence.

Ibrahim Rasheed was arrested in 2020 during a police operation conducted in Addu City. More than 80 kilograms of narcotics were seized during the crackdown.

Rasheed, whom police accuse of being a key figure in the trafficking and distribution of narcotics in Addu City, was sentenced to life imprisonment in May 2025. The verdict was delivered by the Hithadhoo Magistrate Court.

The defendant pleaded guilty to two counts of drug trafficking in this case and entered into a plea agreement with the state. Although the court initially handed down a 50-year prison sentence, it was reduced to 25 years as a leniency measure following his confession.

Rasheed, a high-profile figure in drug trafficking, was released by the Parole Board last Thursday.

Speaking at a press conference held at the President's Office regarding the matter, Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusaan stated that the Parole Board’s decision to release Rasheed was based on an improper review of certain mandatory criteria. Consequently, the Minister ordered a reversal of the decision. Following the reversal of the Parole Board's ruling, he was taken back into custody at 4:48 p.m. on Tuesday.

Upon receiving information regarding this matter, the Ministry conducted an inquiry into the incident. Our review of the Parole Board's decision revealed that certain legal requirements were not addressed in accordance with the established statutory procedures. Consequently, I have formally instructed the Parole Board earlier today to reconsider its decision.

Ali Ihusaan

Police previously disclosed that during a special operation conducted in October 2020, authorities seized 61 kilograms of diamorphine and 17.97 kilograms of methamphetamine racemate from the suspect, Rasheed. A total of 17 other individuals were also arrested alongside him during the operation.

The Parole Board is a statutory body established by the President under the Prisons and Parole Act. The board functions under the oversight of the Maldives Correctional Service, which is an agency of the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology. Pursuant to Section 127 of the Act, the Commissioner of Prisons is mandated to oversee the board’s operations, facilitate the release of inmates serving sentences under the law, and ensure the effective management and sustainability of the parole system.