The Maldives Parole Board, which is responsible for screening and assessing prisoner eligibility for supervised release and rehabilitation, has been restructured.
An official from the Ministry of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology stated that the President's Office appointed nine new members to the Parole Board last week, entirely recomposing the board.
Details of the members who make up the current board are yet to be disclosed.
The entire membership of the Parole Board was summarily dismissed last month following the board's unlawful decision to grant parole to and release a high profile convict, Abdulla Ibrahim (Abucha), who had been serving a 25 year prison sentence for attempting to smuggle 98kg of narcotics into Maldives. The board's decision received severe backlash as they had failed to properly evaluate the convict's criminal record as stipulated in Article 136(b) of the Prisons and Parole Act.
Home Minister Ali Ihusan subsequently reversed the decision, and the convict was re-arrested. All members of the Parole Board were also then dismissed.
The Parliament's Judiciary Committee has since launched a formal inquiry into the incident.
Parole Board composition
- A representative from the Attorney General's Office
- A representative from Maldives Police Service
- A representative from Maldives Correctional Service
- A representative from the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Skills Development
- A representative from the Ministry of Health, Family and Welfare
- A representative from the Ministry of Islamic Affairs and Endowments
- A medical doctor representing the health sector
- A psychiatrist representing the mental health sector
- A representative from civil society
As per the Prisons and Parole Act, persons convicted of crimes other than those explicitly excluded will be eligible for parole after serving one-third of the longest sentence passed on them.
Abucha was convicted on two separate charges and sentenced to life imprisonment of 25 years in May last year. He was initially placed in custody over the accused crime in October 2020. When this remand period is taken into consideration, he has spent six years in custody.
As per the most recent amendments to the Drugs Act, persons convicted of drug trafficking are not eligible for parole or pardon.
