Man sentenced to 23 years in prison on terrorism charges

Criminal Court on Sunday sentenced Hoodh Mohamed Zahir to 23 years in prison for encouraging acts of terrorism by publishing articles, photographs and videos supporting the Islamic State (IS).

Hoodh, a resident of Dhaalu Velvatha, was arrested in January 2022 in a joint operation involving Maldives police, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation and European investigative agencies. Prosecutors alleged he was a senior operative linked to IS.

The state filed five charges against Hoodh under the Terrorism Act. The court found some of the charges proven and handed down the 23-year sentence. The trial was conducted behind closed doors.

Hoodh was released from custody in 2024 by the Criminal Court, but the High Court later ruled that his release had been unlawful.