Cases of detainees held over a year to end by March 2026

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu announced last night that the court cases involving individuals in indefinite detention who have been held on remand for more than a year will be concluded by the end of March 2026.

President Muizzu referred to the information given by Attorney General Ahmed Usham during the Hulhumale' Phase 1 community meeting last night when a resident had posed a question regarding the issue of indefinite detention.

The President stated the Attorney General said that once the trials for indefinite detainees are concluded by the end of March, the cases for the rest of the detainees will also proceed.

"These are cases that have been unsolved for years. Indefinite detainees who have been held in remand for more than a year will see their trials take place in court and be concluded within the next three months. The rest of the cases will also see an end," said President Muizzu, with Attorney General Usham in attendance.

"This will not take much time."

As per the President, Attorney General Usham will take care of its proceedings in a proper manner. The President also said that the Attorney General will inform Prosecutor General Abbas Shareef as well.

President Muizzu had given a detailed answer during the community meeting with Maafannu residents on 5th December, when a resident had posed such a question.

The President said that their release is not possible due to the major allegations against them.

The President stated that even though people say that he can release those on indefinite detention within five minutes, releasing those who have been accused of child sexual abuse, terrorism, murder and drug trafficking is not a right he has as the President.

President Muizzu said the current government would not interfere in the work of the judiciary and would uphold its independence “in the truest sense of the word”. He added that the government aims to expedite cases involving individuals in indefinite detention by providing additional resources to the courts and identifying ways to conclude cases more efficiently.