Parliament to summon Parole Board members over release of convicted drug trafficker

Parliament's Judiciary Committee has decided to investigate the release of Abdulla Ibrahim, known as Abu Cha, who was serving a 25-year prison sentence for drug trafficking, and summon members of the Parole Board to explain the circumstances surrounding the decision.

The committee decided on Wednesday to examine the procedures followed in granting parole to Ibrahim, who was convicted in a case involving the importation of more than 80 kilogrammes of drugs into the Maldives.

Ibrahim was arrested in 2020 in connection with the drug trafficking case and was sentenced to 25 years in prison in May 2025.

He was released by the Parole Board last week, prompting public concern over the decision. He was subsequently taken back into custody, while members of the Parole Board were removed from their positions.

The parliamentary inquiry was proposed by Galolhu North MP Mohamed Ibrahim, known as Kudoo, of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

He called for an investigation into how the Parole Board reached its decision, whether the relevant legal procedures had been followed and what legal provisions allowed Ibrahim to be taken back into custody through an administrative decision after his release.

The MP also requested that any correspondence with the Ministry of Homeland Security during the decision-making process be obtained and examined.

At Wednesday's meeting, the Judiciary Committee agreed to investigate the matter, citing its implications for the public interest and Parliament's responsibility to establish the circumstances surrounding the release.

Faresmaathodaa MP Ashraf Rasheed of the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) proposed summoning members of the Parole Board for questioning. All committee members present supported the proposal.

Ashraf said the incident had raised questions about the parole process and that the committee should consider measures to prevent similar cases.

He noted that the Parole Board's leadership had resigned following the incident, but said the matter required a longer-term solution.

Hulhudhoo MP Mohamed Shahid, also of the PNC, supported the inquiry, saying the removal of Parole Board members alone would not address potential shortcomings in the system.

He said parole decisions were governed by established procedures and standards, and that any errors made in granting parole should be identified and disclosed to the public.

Committee members also raised the possibility of introducing measures to prevent individuals responsible for serious procedural failures from being reappointed to similar positions.

Judiciary Committee chairperson Mohamed Mamdhooh, the PNC MP for Funadhoo, said the circumstances surrounding the decision needed to be examined.

He noted that the release of prisoners on parole had occurred under successive administrations, particularly around election periods.

However, Mamdhooh claimed that the current administration had granted parole to fewer prisoners than previous governments.

Citing statistics on prisoner releases, he said 439 prisoners were released between 2008 and 2012, approximately 350 between 2013 and 2018, and approximately 1,905 between 2018 and 2023.

He added that 27 prisoners had their sentences reduced through parole in 2025.

The committee is expected to question Parole Board members and examine the relevant procedures and records as part of its investigation into Ibrahim's release and subsequent return to custody.