Court Cases of Detainees in Pre-trial Custody Over a Year to Conclude by March, Says President

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has said that the court cases of individuals who have been in pre-trial detention for over a year will be concluded by March 2026.

Speaking at a community meeting with residents of Hulhumalé Phase 1 at Rehendhi School yesterday evening, President Muizzu said the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) had informed him that the cases of those held in prolonged pretrial detention, known locally as vaanuvaa, will be resolved by that time.

advertisement

advertisement

advertisement

Vaanuvaa refers to individuals who remain in state custody for extended periods, sometimes years, without clarity on when their cases will be heard due to slow judicial processing.

“By the end of March, the court cases of everyone who has been in vaanuvaa for more than a year will be resolved,” he said, adding that remaining cases will follow, with the AGO working alongside the Prosecutor General’s Office.

On 4 December, speaking to residents of Maafannu, Malé, President Muizzu said past delays were caused by the courts’ limited facilities and lack of financial independence. He noted that the government has now ensured both financial and administrative autonomy for the judiciary. He added that detainees are being informed of scheduled hearings and cases are progressing more efficiently. The President reaffirmed that the administration does not, and will not, influence the judiciary and will continue to uphold the rule of law.