High Court revokes Ali Anwar's release order issued by former judge Faiz

High Court has today revoked former Criminal Court Judge Hussain Faiz Rashad's order to release from custody Ali Anwar Mohamed, accused of large-scale drug trafficking by Police. 

Ali Anwar was previously arrested in relation to the smuggling of 70kg of drugs in an Iranian boat. He was arrested on a different drug related case once again in October last year, and the Criminal Court initially placed him in remand in custody for five days. On October 18, he was presented in court as the remand period was expiring. However, this time, Judge Faiz released Ali Anwar unconditionally. 

Issuing the release order, Judge Faiz stated that Police had been unable to specify on what basis Ali Anwar was arrested and kept in custody. He released Ali Anwar, citing procedural errors after arrest. 

The State appealed the ruling at the High Court. Meanwhile, the Judicial Service Commission launched an investigation against Judge Faiz, and found ethical breaches on his part. The parliament then removed Faiz from the bench. 

High Court today issued a ruling revoking the release order issued by Faiz. In the ruling, the High Court stated that the Criminal Court had initially placed Ali Anwar in remand in custody after ascertaining there were no procedural errors in the arrest. The three judge bench unanimously ruled that it is then wrongful to order a release citing procedural errors when presented for remand extension.

Police have said that equipment often found on drug sellers, such as a digital scale and two empty rubber packets, were found at Ali Anwar's Male' residence. 

When former Judge Faiz had ordered Ali Anwar's release, Police sought a new order to rearrest him. However, he had left the country and travelled to Sri Lanka by then. Police then worked with Sri Lankan authorities and had him deported from Sri Lanka. Ali Anwar was then arrested upon his return to the country. 

Ali Anwar's previous arrest was the result of a joint operation between Sri Lankan and Maldivian Coastguard and Police in October, 2019. In this operation, 70kg of drugs were seized from two vessels. The two vessels intercepted in the operation were an Iranian boat and 'Hedheykuri-7', a local fishing boat. 

Ali Anwar also has a previous record of theft.