State agrees to release all arrested Maafushi Prison officers

The state today agreed to release the remaining four prisons officers who were held in remand pending the outcome of their trial after they were arrested for allegedly being involved in smuggling contraband into Maafushi Prison.

While more than 18 officers were initially arrested in the Police operation which revealed how prisons officers were involved in smuggling phone and drugs into the facility, earning over MVR 73 million combined, only five officers were charged.

They are Jinaah Abdul Raheem from R. Ungoofaaru, Ali Asfaaq from M. Landhoo, Ali Saheem from K. Maafushi, Mohamed Fathooh Fathuhulla from GA. Villingili, and Ali Nazim from HDh. Neykurendhoo.

However, Fathooh was released sometime after his arrest.

The four officers still in custody requested bail at the Criminal Court, where their legal counsel argued today that another individual arrested in the same case was released by the High Court after their arrest was deemed unlawful. Since the four officers were also detained under the same circumstances, the defence counsel requested bail with reference to the High Court ruling.

Prosecutors also agreed, however, requesting that the passports of all four individuals be confiscated, along with other conditions imposed.

This was met with questions from Judge Ismail Shafiu who clarified whether the state now believes the accused no longer pose a threat to society, noting that the state had previously argued they were a threat when requesting their remand.

While a plea agreement has also been entered into which may result in possible jail time, Judge Shafiu also asked why the state now wants them released.

In response, the prosecution said that the remand was requested because it was believed that they posed a threat to society, but that the threat level has now decreased. They also said that this is common practice in cases involving money.

After hearing both sides, Judge Shafiu said that a ruling would be issued at a later time.

The four individuals in question currently face charges of abusing their official capacity, money laundering and illicit enrichment.