The Criminal Court has remanded a 21-year-old undocumented Bangladeshi national in custody for 15 days after he allegedly tore up his own passport at Velana International Airport to resist deportation.
The suspect, identified as Sheikh MD Masum Lathyf, was arrested on allegations of damaging property.
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According to court documents, Lathyf was residing in the Maldives in violation of immigration laws and regulations. When taken into Maldives Immigration custody to the airport to be deported, he resisted departure and ripped up his passport while held inside an immigration cell.
During the remand hearing, the prosecution submitted sufficient preliminary evidence to substantiate the charges, including police and immigration incident reports filed at the scene.
Following his initial detention, behavioural observations indicated a potential psychological condition, prompting authorities to conduct a formal mental health assessment. However, the evaluation found no medical grounds barring law enforcement from investigating the allegations or pursuing criminal prosecution against him.
The court ordered Lathyf held in detention citing flight risk, a potential threat to public safety, and his clear resistance to lawful deportation.
