Raud released as remand may exceed penalty, PGO says
According to the police, the latest release was made at the request of the PGO.
The Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) requested the release of Raud Ahmed Zilal, who was arrested in connection with the fall of Hawwa Yumnu Rasheed from the ninth floor of a building in Malé, because the duration of his remand may exceed the maximum sentence for the offences under consideration, the office said Tuesday.
Raud was initially arrested on 25th of last month following Yumnu’s fall onto the roof of an adjacent building. He was released on Thursday and subsequently re-arrested the same day under a different court order. He had remained in custody for one month before being released again on Monday.
According to the police, the latest release was made at the request of the PGO.
In an X post, PGO media official Shafeeu Ahmed stated that the office typically recommends release when the accused is held in remand longer than the likely penalty if convicted.
Police have requested charges against Raud for drug use and failure to provide assistance to a person in need. Under Maldivian law:
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The typical sentence for drug use is one year of imprisonment.
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The sentence for failure to assist a person in need is less than one month of imprisonment.
Raud was with Yumnu at the time of the incident at H. Fentenoy on Buruzu Magu. He tested positive for cannabis, according to police. Initially, police said no other individuals were involved in the fall.
The second warrant for his detention indicated that a dispute had occurred between Raud and Yumnu on the night of the incident. The warrant also noted that Raud had informed another individual that Yumnu had fallen.
