Ex-pres Maumoon slams decision to enforce death penalty

Former Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom slammed the decision by the new administration to enforce the death penalty in Maldives on Wednesday, saying that he wasn’t aware the enforcement of the death penalty was “a top national developmental goal.”

The remark comes after Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihusan, in a press briefing on Wednesday afternoon, said that the administration was making preparations to enforce the death penalty.

“We will look into the necessary arrangements and considerations required in relation to this and carry this out in accordance with the laws and regulations of the Maldives,” said Ihusan, without providing further details.

Maumoon criticized the decision in a post on X on Wednesday night.

“Sorry! But I wasn’t aware the enforcement of the death penalty was a top national development goal,” he wrote.

He added that the Islamic Sharia requires the death penalty to be enforced under certain standards and principles, and that he will share literature on the subject, later.

Maldives has had a de facto moratorium on the death penalty in place since 1954.

Former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom had announced plans to enforce the death penalty during his administration – but faced legal hurdles and international pressure.

He later said that while he supports the enforcement of the death penalty, the Maldivian public has doubts about the fairness of the investigative and judicial process.

His successor, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih stated he did not wish to enforce the death penalty.