All except 1 free as court rejects terrorism plot charges in Thimarafushi case

The Criminal Court has convicted three people in a terrorism case involving an alleged Islamic State (IS)-supporting extremist cell operating in Thimarafushi, Thaa Atoll, while dismissing several charges, including allegations that the group had planned a terrorist attack in the Maldives.

The verdict was delivered on Thursday in a case involving eight men arrested in Thimarafushi and other islands in 2021 on suspicion of terrorism-related offences.

The court found that three categories of offences had been established, including supporting a terrorist organisation, attempting to travel to participate in a war and obstructing the administration of justice.

However, several other charges were not proven, with the court raising concerns about the integrity of data extracted from a mobile phone submitted as evidence.

The eight defendants were Ali Muneez, Mohamed Aasir, Abdulla Shareef, Ahsan Mohamed, Abdulla Imad and Shamaah Shareef, all from Thimarafushi; Ibrahim Looth from Kudafari, Noonu Atoll; and Ali Aruham Mohamed from Kandholhudhoo, Raa Atoll.

Seven categories of charges were brought before the Criminal Court in connection with the case.

Sentences handed down

Three men were convicted of supporting a terrorist organisation.

Abdulla Imad was sentenced to three years in prison, while Ali Muneez received a sentence of one year, nine months and one day.

Ali Aruham Mohamed was also sentenced to three years in prison for supporting a terrorist organisation.

Aruham received an additional five-year prison sentence for attempting to travel to participate in a war.

Two defendants were convicted of obstructing the administration of justice.

Abdulla Imad and Ibrahim Looth were each sentenced to one year, seven months and six days in prison for that offence.

The court ordered that time already spent in detention be deducted from the sentences.

As a result, Imad, Muneez and Looth have no remaining prison terms to serve and have been released.

Aruham is the only defendant who remains subject to imprisonment following the verdict.

Terrorism plot charges dismissed

The court found that several allegations against the defendants had not been proven.

These included charges relating to learning skills for carrying out a terrorist act, membership of a terrorist organisation, planning a terrorist act and encouraging the commission of terrorism.

The court cited concerns about the integrity of data extracted from a mobile phone presented as evidence in the case.

The prosecution had alleged that the defendants were involved in an extremist cell supporting Islamic State and had planned to carry out a terrorist attack in the Maldives.

However, the court did not find sufficient evidence to establish the charges relating to the alleged attack plot.

Following the ruling, all defendants except Aruham have been released from custody.

The Prosecutor General's Office said on Thursday that it would decide whether to appeal the acquittals after receiving the court's report on the case.