High Court criticizes PG for video report over case acquittals

The High Court of Maldives yesterday criticized the state for producing and sharing video reports concerning cases in which the accused are acquitted due to insufficient evidence provided by the state.

The court's comments were delivered during an appeal hearing initiated by an individual convicted by a lower court for drug possession.

During the hearing, it was highlighted by the state that police received intelligence of the individual’s handling of drugs. The Judges bench then questioned why the report was missing in evidence, to which prosecutors said that intelligence reports are not submitted as evidence in such cases.

Following this response, the court stressed that what was not admitted into evidence would not be considered as evidence and added that the state should not make video reports should the accused get acquitted.

"The judges cannot consider what wasn't submitted as evidence. Then, you don’t go and create a video report when the charges are dropped," said presiding judge Mohamed Niyaz.

This comment comes following a recent event where the police held a press conference and released evidence of a case where several individuals were found not guilty in a case of importing 119 kilograms of drugs into the country.

In response, the Criminal Court found Home Minister Ali Ihusan and the involved police officers in contempt of court. As a result, a special meeting between the Minister, the officers, and the court was scheduled.