PG seeks court ruling to declare Addu ‘Skoop’ group a gang
This is the first application submitted to a court seeking a declaration of an organised criminal group under the Gang Crimes Act.
The Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) has filed a petition with the High Court seeking a declaration that the ‘Skoop’ group, based in Hithadhoo, Addu City, is an organised criminal group, and that nine individuals are members of the group.
The petition has been filed under the Prevention of Gang Crimes and Other Dangerous Crimes Act, which was passed by the People’s Majlis last year and came into force in August.
Under the Act, forming or operating an organised criminal group is an offence. The law provides penalties for individuals involved in such groups and grants authorities powers to prevent gang-related crimes.
While the police are authorised to identify suspected gang leaders and members, a group can only be legally designated as a gang through a court ruling.
The Prosecutor General’s Office said the petition was filed after reviewing a submission made by the Maldives Police Service requesting a gang designation for the group.
According to the PGO, an assessment of the evidence submitted by the police indicates that the ‘Skoop’ group meets the criteria of an organised criminal group under the Act and is involved in criminal activity.
The High Court has been asked to formally declare the ‘Skoop’ group a gang and to recognise nine individuals as members of the group.
The petition also requests the court to order the Sports Commissioner to dissolve SKP Sports Club, which is believed to be associated with the group.
In addition, the court has been asked to direct the relevant council to remove the names ‘Skoop’ and ‘Skoop Kanmathi’ from walls and other locations.
This is the first application submitted to a court seeking a declaration of an organised criminal group under the Gang Crimes Act.
The Prosecutor General’s Office stated that further action would be taken against the group and its members, in coordination with the police, once the court delivers its ruling.
The PGO also said action will continue to be taken against criminal groups that meet the requirements set out in the law.
This is the second request submitted by the police to the Prosecutor General’s Office since the Act came into force. The PGO noted that a previous request was returned to the police after it was determined that the investigation did not sufficiently establish that the legal criteria for a gang designation had been met.
The Act defines an organised criminal group as a group of three or more persons acting together for financial or other material gain, directly or indirectly, through the commission of one or more serious criminal offences. The law applies to groups that are active after the Act’s commencement.
