All but One Suspect Released in Thimarafushi Extremism and Terror Plot Case
10 އޮކްޓޯބަރު 2026 | ހޮނިހިރު 07:48The Criminal Court has convicted four individuals for plotting a terrorist attack in Thimarafushi. While three of the convicts have already been released as their sentences were offset by time served in pre-trial detention, Ali Arusham remains the only individual currently in custody, serving an eight-year prison sentence.
All suspects except for one have been released in the case involving the spread of extremist ideologies in Th. Thimarafushi and a plot to carry out a terrorist attack in the Maldives. | police
The Criminal Court has issued a guilty verdict against several individuals charged in connection with a plot to spread extremist ideologies in Th. Thimarafushi and orchestrate a terrorist attack within the Maldives.
The state has pressed charges against a total of seven individuals in this case, with four of them being found guilty. This case stems from a police investigation into an ISIS-affiliated cell operating in Thimarafushi that was allegedly planning to carry out a major terrorist attack in the Maldives.
According to the Criminal Court's verdict, Abdulla Imad and Ali Arham Mohamed have each been sentenced to three years in prison for supporting a terrorist organization, while Ali Muneez received a sentence of one year, nine months, and one day for the same offense. Furthermore, Ali Arham Mohamed was handed an additional five-year prison sentence after being found guilty of attempting to travel abroad for combat. In the same case, Abdulla Imad and Ibrahim Looth were each sentenced to one year, seven months, and six days in prison for the crime of obstructing justice.
Regarding the prison sentences handed down to Abdulla Imad, Ali Muneez, and Ibrahim Looth in this case, the court stated that no further punishment remains to be served after deducting the time they have already spent in custody. Consequently, the court's ruling indicates that among the defendants in this case, only Ali Arham Mohamed remains in detention.
The court has ruled that several other charges brought by the state in this case were not proven. These include charges of plotting an act of terrorism, encouraging terrorism, and membership in a terrorist organization. The court determined that these charges were not proven, citing concerns regarding the integrity of data extracted from a mobile phone submitted as evidence.
The state filed charges against the individuals involved in this case and submitted the matter to court on February 8, 2021. The witness testimony phase of the trial concluded in January 2026. The proceedings were finalized in April 2026 following the presentation of closing statements.
The Criminal Court scheduled the hearing to deliver the verdict in this case for 8:15 a.m. on October 8.
The Prosecutor General's Office has stated that a decision on whether to appeal the court's acquittal on these charges will be made once the official case report is received.
