Another prison officer being charged with smuggling contraband such as phones and drugs into Maafushi Prison has decided to withdraw from the previously entered plea bargain.
Another prison officer being charged with smuggling contraband such as phones and drugs into Maafushi Prison has decided to withdraw from the previously entered plea bargain.
In an operation carried out last June, Police arrested 18 prison officers from Maldives Corrections Service for making over MVR 70 million through the smuggling of contraband into Maafushi prison.
The State, however, pressed charges against five of these individuals. They are Jinah Abdul Raheem of Ivory House, Raa atoll Ungoofaaru, Ali Asfaq of Kaamineege, Noonu atoll Landhoo, Ali Shaheem of Beach House, Kaafu atoll Maafushi, Mohamed Fathooh Fathuhullah of Kuhlhavahge, Gaafu Alif atoll Vilin'gili and Ali Nazim, Tharaanaage, Haa Dhaalu atoll Neykurandhoo.
They are being charged with illicit enrichment and abuse of an official position. Jinah and Shaheem are additionally charged with money laundering.
Earlier, the State entered plea bargains with Asfaq, Nazim and Fathooh. As per this, they will be given concessions by the prosecution in return for pleading guilty.
Asfaq and Nazim earlier withdrew from the plea bargain and denied the charges.
In the instance that the plea is being retracted, Judge Ismail Shafeeu said that the case can be further investigated and resubmitted, with the State deciding to raise further charges against them.
Fathooh's legal representation has previously requested that the hearings be held closed. The lawyer said then that it negatively affects accepted social standards to hold hearing on cases of corruption against employees of State institutions openly.
He further said that it would lead to society considering the accused as guilty. The State, however, said that the public needs to be aware of case proceedings and stated there are no justifiable reasons to hold hearings closed. Judge Shafeeu agreed with the State and decided not to hold closed hearings.
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