Pre-trial detainees released under electronic monitoring

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu announced on Wednesday that several individuals held in pre-trial detention have been released under court-imposed conditions through an electronic monitoring system.

The announcement was made on the social media platform X on Wednesday night, following a meeting between the President and advocates campaigning for the release of detainees under supervised arrangements. According to the President, individuals eligible for release have been granted relief in accordance with decisions made by the court.

"Through the work launched today, solutions will be found to this age-old issue and the remand of eligible persons will be relieved," the President stated in his post.

The number of individuals released under the programme has not been disclosed.

The Prosecutor General’s Office has previously outlined the criteria and procedures for granting such relief. These include an assessment of potential threats to community safety, which will be jointly conducted by the Maldives Police Service and the Maldives Correctional Service. This evaluation determines the necessity of monitoring individuals who may be granted conditional release.

The Prosecutor General’s Office prepares a formal assessment report and, if it finds that remand can be relaxed based on the findings, submits a request to the court. Conditional release is then granted under Article 66(b)(6) of the Criminal Procedure Act, allowing individuals to remain outside custody under monitoring for a maximum of 100 days.

The court reviews the conditions of release every 100 days upon submission by the Prosecutor General’s Office. In cases where a person violates the conditions set by the court, the office will immediately request the court to revoke the release and return the individual to custody.

The implementation of electronic monitoring is expected to address long-standing concerns regarding extended pre-trial detention in the country’s criminal justice system.