Supreme Court Establishes Stricter Conditions for Passport Release in Serious Criminal Cases

The Supreme Court issued a ruling to tighten the criteria for individuals seeking permission to travel abroad for medical treatment in serious criminal cases. 

The decision comes in the wake of an appeal lodged by the prosecution against the Criminal Court’s previous authorisation for SeaLife Global Managing Director, Ahmed Moosa Mohamed (Ammati), to depart from the Maldives for medical reasons.

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The Supreme Court, led by Presiding Justice Aisha Shujune Muhammad, overturned the earlier ruling permitting Ahmed Moosa to leave the country. Notably, Ahmed Moosa had faced arrest twice while evading legal authorities.

Presiding Justice Aisha Shujune outlined the factors and conditions that the court will now consider when evaluating requests for overseas medical treatment from individuals deemed flight risks. Justice Husnu Al Suood, who concurred with the decision, also outlined precautionary measures to prevent the escape of accused individuals facing serious criminal charges.