MP Adil released from detention on conditions

Hassan Adil, Member of Parliament for Marhadhoo constituency and member of the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party parliament group, who had been arrested on charges of sexual abuse of a child was released from detention today. He was kept in detention in accordance with the law as societal security and order dictated such an action as per the view of the court. However, the order of detention was today declared no more effective, and Adil was released, though on conditions.

On the 12th of this month, the Criminal Court issued an order of detention against Adil following charges against him for sexual abuse of a child. However, as he was released conditionally, the Maldives Police Services stated that they would not appeal the case to overturn the release order. The Police said that they “respected the order of conditional release” in favor of Adil.

“We respect the decision of the Criminal Court today. We have not decided to appeal the case”, said a Police Media Official today.

The order of detention against Adil was given after the Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) filed for such an order saying that detaining any persons accused of sexual abuse of children needed to be kept in detention in accordance with the spirit of the law until court adjudges on the their cases.

Adil, 42 years, was prosecuted for forcefully abusing a child of 13 years sexually under Article 1(3) of the Act on sexual violence against children. According to the law, handling a child with a sexual intention was a crime for which the punishment was set at 10-14 years imprisonment.

If Adil is convicted in the case, he would lose his seat in the People’s Majlis, as Article 73 of the Constitution says that any member of Parliament who is convicted of a criminal offence and imprisoned for a period exceeding 1 year would lose his seat.