President cites court space as cause for prolonged pre-trial detention

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has said the prolonged detention of individuals awaiting trial is linked to the lack of space at the Criminal Court and the Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO).

Speaking at a press conference held on Saturday, the President addressed growing public concerns over extended periods of detention without conviction. Protests have taken place in Malé calling for an end to what demonstrators describe as indefinite detention, with some detainees being held for several years without a verdict.

“This is not a legal issue. In fact, the real issue is the prolongation of cases due to lack of space in the Criminal Court. The building is not functional due to its condition,” President Muizzu said.

To address the issue, the government is relocating the Criminal Court to the former COVID-19 facility in Hulhumale. The President said the new location will provide sufficient space to allow multiple cases to be heard simultaneously. The PGO, he added, also faces challenges related to limited space and staff.

President Muizzu said the government is working to address the situation urgently and expects the new Criminal Court facility to be operational by July this year.

According to the President, there are currently 354 individuals in custody pending trial. These include:

The President noted that two-thirds of those in custody are charged with serious offences that would not be eligible for amnesty even if convicted.

“I also met the police in this regard. I asked them to see if there is a way to release them at least until they are convicted. But the police also said here are the charges against them,” he said.

President Muizzu said he is scheduled to meet with some of the detainees this week to further discuss the matter.