Detainee Watch rejects President’s claim, says tagging and releasing pre-trial detainees is best solution

Prisoners’ rights group Maldives Human Rights and Detainee Watch (MHRD) has said detainees should be released on conditional monitoring until the end of their trials, rejecting President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s claim that such releases are not possible.  

The President told residents of Maafannu last Thursday night that he had no authority to release people held pending trial on serious charges. He stressed that 347 individuals are currently in custody, including suspects accused of murder, terrorism, child sexual abuse, fighting, and drug trafficking.  

In a statement issued Sunday, Detainee Watch said the President’s remarks were “untrue.” The association argued that tagging detainees with electronic monitors and releasing them under supervision has been successfully implemented in many developed countries, without causing public threats.  

The group noted that while the government had initiated tagging and release for some detainees as a temporary measure, only a few facing charges of drug peddling and assault were freed in this manner.  

“Every human being has the right to be considered innocent until proven guilty, both legally and under Islamic principles,” the association said.  

Detainee Watch added that prolonged trials leave detainees uncertain about when their cases will be resolved, and some may never be proven in court. The association warned that even with more judges and staff, court backlogs will persist due to shortages of lawyers, overlapping schedules, and negligence by corrections and other institutions.  

The issue of prolonged pre-trial detention was raised directly to the President by a young man in Maafannu, who reminded him of his campaign pledge to resolve the matter.  

President Muizzu responded that the government has taken steps to improve facilities and resources, but insisted it was impossible to release detainees “within five minutes” as demanded. He emphasized that releasing suspects accused of serious crimes such as child sexual abuse, terrorism, murder, fighting, or drug trafficking would be irresponsible.