Maldives Police have raised concerns over the High Court's decision to uphold the Criminal Court's verdict on releasing Irufan Thagiyyu from Addu City Hulhudhoo over his suspected smuggling of 72 kilograms of drugs.
The state pressed charges against a total of 10 individuals at the Criminal Court in the drug smuggling case. The items were confiscated by authorities on December 20 when they were smuggled via the sea.
Despite initially pressing charges against 10 suspects, the state later rescinded charges against seven of these individuals.
The state did not rescind its charges against three of the individuals suspected of most culpability in the case, including Irufan. He is facing charges of trafficking Diamorphine.
After Irufan was arrested and held in remand for his suspected involvement in the case, he was released earlier in October.
Prosecution appealed the Criminal Court's decision at the High Court, arguing that his release was unlawful.
The appeal court's decision was submitted to the Criminal Court by the state. On November 23, the court delivered the verdict, noting that although the appellate court held Irufan's release was unlawful owing to the original conditions on which he was arrested had not changed, the situation has since been altered, and held he should be released.
The state appealed this decision again at the High Court. However, the appellate court, this time, held that the state failed to provide sufficient proof that the Criminal Court's latter decision was unlawful and sustained the lower court's decision.
Maldives Police has since raised concerns over the release of Irufan, who is one of the prime suspects of the drug smuggling case.
Chief Superintendent of Police Ahmed Shakir, while speaking with Mihaaru News said that the Prosecutor General's Office would appeal the appellate court's decision at the Supreme Court.
"We are hopeful of appealing the issue since he [Irufan] is the primary suspect in the case," Shakir said.
Minister of Homeland Security Ali Ihusan meanwhile, announced the formation of a special audit committee to analyze the reasons why top suspects in drug cases were released.
The committee includes the Ministry of Homeland Security and Trade, the Prosecutor General's Office, and the Maldives Police Service.
"Efforts are underway in collaboration with the relevant authorities, and the PG Office to understand the reasons behind the release or acquittal of prime suspects in serious offenses, to improve our investigations," the Minister of Homeland Security said.
The release or acquittal of individuals suspected in large-scale drug trafficking has been a prevailing concern of the Maldives Police Service. However, the courts have identified procedural and administrative errors of the relevant authorities during the stages of investigation and prosecution leading to the eventual release of serious offenders or those suspected of serious offenses.
In addition to this, local law enforcement and the courts are alleged to have accepted bribery or come under duress, leading to the release of such criminal offenders.
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