Home Ministry to Review Cases of Those Detained Pending Trial

Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihusaan has said that the cases of those detained pending trial will be reviewed, and those who can be released will be released.

Speaking at a press conference at the Home Ministry on Tuesday, Minister Ihusaan said the government was very concerned about these cases and expressed his intent to review the cases in collaboration with the Prosecutor General (PG) to see if they could be released.

The Minister said most of the detainees were accused of murder, serious fighting, terrorism and child sexual abuse. He stated that they are trying to provide relief to those in other, less serious, cases.

“We are looking into any circumstances beyond these [murders, major fights, terrorism and child sexual abuse cases] where relief can be granted,” the minister said, adding that the detainees “were remanded in custody at the request of the police and ordered by the court. However, with the special order of the President, we are reviewing it.”

The Minister said the permanent solution to the problem is to bring about legal changes and to ensure courts are being given the necessary cooperation.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu promised during his presidential campaign that the judicial system will be reformed. With his vision for the change, a person would only able to be legally held in custody without a decision for a maximum of 48 hours, he said.

Last month, President Dr. Muizzu announced in his first presidential statement that the work of ending the detention of those arrested pending investigation would begin within the month. The Attorney General's (AG) office has already started work to bring the necessary changes to the laws, the minister said yesterday.