The new Criminal Court and Drug Court facilities being built in Hulhumale' are set to be officially opened on July 26.

Housing Development Corporation (HDC) said today that currently the final preparations are underway to make the facilities ready for operations.

The facilities are located in the old Covid hospital building, in front of Tree Top Hospital. The building has been renovated and adapted by HDC for use as court premises.

The new court facilities will be opened on July 26, coinciding with Maldives' 60th Independence Day, Mihaaru News reports.

Once the new facilities are in use, the current premises of the Criminal and Drug Courts in Male' will be shut down.

The old STO building where Criminal Court is now operating out of is severely dilapidated, as well as causing space constraints. This led to earlier efforts for a temporary transfer to the former Covid hospital. However, the government later decided to completely renovate the Covid hospital and transfer the court there.

The President has also previously announced that a Superior Complex for the judiciary will be built in Hulhumale', with the project planned to commence within the year.