President Mohamed Muizzu on Wednesday launched an initiative to release eligible remand detainees under an electronic monitoring system, aimed at easing prison congestion and addressing prolonged pre-trial detention.
In a post on X, President Muizzu said the new system aims to resolve long-standing custody issues and will allow detainees who meet specific conditions to be released with electronic tags while awaiting trial.
“The process of relaxation of custody through an electronic monitoring system with court-imposed conditions has begun today as part of joint efforts by state agencies to address the issues of pending detainees,” the president stated.
The move follows a special risk assessment conducted by the Maldives Police Service and Maldives Correctional Service. According to the Prosecutor General’s Office, the assessment evaluates the threat posed to society by each detainee’s release and determines the level of monitoring required.
Remand relief will be granted by applying to the courts for a review of each case. The initial period of conditional release is set at a maximum of 100 days, with the detainees’ status subject to court review every 100 days thereafter.
The Prosecutor General’s Office also confirmed that any breach of court-imposed conditions would result in an immediate request to re-arrest the individual.
Lawyers representing detainees can now apply for relief under this new mechanism.
The announcement comes just days after a series of protests were held in Malé demanding relief for detainees held in extended remand. Following the demonstrations, President Muizzu held discussions with several families of detainees and later convened a meeting at the President’s Office with Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihsan, Prosecutor General Ahmed Abbas Sharif, and Attorney General Ahmed Usham to discuss the matter further.