Serious crimes are not being proven in court because judges and police are involved with criminals, MP Ahmed Saleem of Baa Eydhafushi constituency said during Wednesday’s parliamentary session.

Debating a bill to amend the law to allow bail, Saleem, one of the longest-serving MPs in parliament and a member of the ruling Progressive National Congress (PNC), expressed concern over the lack of convictions for drug-related and other serious crimes in the Maldives.

“Drug smugglers and major thieves are no longer afraid to commit crimes because they are confident they will go free,” he said. Saleem, a successful local businessman who runs the Redwave shopping chain, accused judges of using loopholes to save perpetrators, resulting in no one being punished.

“I would say that these things are being done in collaboration with the judges and some policemen,” Saleem stated.

He added that the situation in the country has deteriorated significantly, with children as young as 13 now involved in crime. Saleem also highlighted that higher-level drug smugglers are being protected by lower-level criminals, who take responsibility for the drugs when caught by police.