Case submitted to Prosecutor General to designate criminal group as a gang

Police have submitted a case to the Prosecutor General’s Office (PG) seeking to officially designate a criminal group as a gang, police said today.

Under the Prevention of Gangs and Other Serious Offences Act, which came into force last August, the first procedural step to declare a criminal group as a gang is for the police to submit the case to the Prosecutor General. Once reviewed, the Prosecutor General will refer the matter to the High Court, which holds the authority to formally declare the group a gang.

Speaking at a press conference held at Iskandharu Koshi today, Head of the Gang Crime Enforcement Department, Superintendent of Police Ishag Adam, said police are acting in accordance with the guidance provided by the Prosecutor General’s Office.

“One case has been sent to the Prosecutor General’s Office to determine whether a group should be declared a gang. We are currently following the instructions provided by the Prosecutor General,” Ishag said.

He added that police are assessing criminal groups operating both in Male’ and across the atolls, to determine whether they meet the legal criteria for gang designation under the new law.

Ishag noted that since the enactment of the Prevention of Gangs and Other Serious Offences Act, gang-related crimes have significantly declined.

“Before this law came into force, we saw very dangerous and highly organized criminal groups operating on the streets,” he said.

“However, based on intelligence gathered from cases submitted since August, the number of such incidents has decreased considerably compared to earlier this year.”

He expressed confidence that the legislation will continue to be used effectively to prevent organized crime and improve public safety.