Prison contraband smuggling: two officers retract plea deal

Two prisons officers who entered plea agreements with the state for their alleged involvement in smuggling contraband into Maafushi Prison, have retracted their confessions.

The issue of contraband smuggling first came to light last June after a Police raid discovered that prison officers were involved in smuggling mobile phones and drugs into the premises of Maafushi Prison. It is also alleged that the officers involved received a total of MVR 70 million for their involvement.

A total of 18 officers were initially arrested. However, only five had charges pressed against them.

They are, Jinaah Abdul Raheem (Raa atoll Ungoofaaru), Ali Asfaaq (Noonu atoll Landhoo), Ali Shaheem (Kaafu atoll Maafushi), Mohamed Fathooh Fathuhulla (Gaafu Alifu atoll Villingili) and Ali Nazim (Haa Dhaalu atoll Neykurendhoo).

All five are accused of abusing their official capacity as prisons officers as well as illicit enrichment. Jinaah and Shaheem also have an added money laundering charge against them.

Asfaaq, Nazim and Fathooh previously entered plea agreements with the state where the state would advocate for them to receive a lighter sentence in exchange for their confession in court.

At the Criminal Court hearing today, Asfaaq and Nazim's lawyers said they wanted to withdraw from the plea deal, claiming that they were promised benefits during the investigation process.

The prosecution said they want to prosecute the pair separately with added charges if they wish to dissolve the agreement, and requested the case to be sent back.

Judge Ismail Shafeeu, agreed to the request.

Although Fathooh's legal representative Noorussalaam Abubakr did not say anything regarding the plea deal, he did request the hearings to be concealed. Abubakr claimed that public having access to a corruption trial against employees of a public institution would adversely affect the general moral standards of society.

He also claimed that the accused individuals would be deemed as criminals by the public. However, the prosecution contested to this and said that the public should know how the trial is proceeding. There is no reason for the hearing to be held behind closed doors, prosecutors said.

Judge Shafeeu also sided with the prosecution.

Given that the mobile forensic report of the case is yet to be submitted, Judge Shafeeu ordered the report to be submitted within a month.