President Muizzu Discusses Bail System to Address Prolonged Pre-Trial Detention
President Muizzu (R) meeting with advocates for detainees held in prolonged pretrial detention on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at the President’s Office | Photo: President’s Office
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu discussed introducing a comprehensive bail system to the Maldives to tackle the issue of prolonged pre-trial detention with advocates yesterday.
According to the President’s Office, he met advocates representing individuals held in pretrial detention, who acknowledged that the current administration is working harder towards fixing the issue of extended detention more than any of the previous administrations.
advertisement
advertisement
advertisement
advertisement
This issue is referred to in Dhivehi as Vaanuvaa Bandhu, highlighting the fact that detainees remain in state custody, unknowing of how long their pretrial detention will be.
President Muizzu talked about introducing the bail system when the advocates shared potential solutions for this issue, which include individuals in such situations being given a second chance through monitored release mechanisms like electronic tagging or other supervised arrangements. They also urged the government to strengthen the judiciary’s administrative and infrastructural capacity to expedite case processing.
In response, President Muizzu reaffirmed the government’s commitment to introducing a comprehensive and structured bail system. He said he would meet with the Prosecutor General and the Attorney General to identify and address any operational barriers to implementing supervised release options, including electronic tagging.
The President also mentioned that the Government is currently developing a new court complex and considering interim measures to accelerate hearings. He assured the advocates that authorities would review prison conditions and give serious attention to the concerns raised.During the special press conference President Muizzu held on Saturday to celebrate World Press Freedom Day, he said 354 people are currently under Vaanuvaa Bandhu. The highest number of people stuck in the state of prolonged pretrial detention are people held for crimes related to drugs, which amounts to 110. As per Saturday, there were 108 peole held for child sexual abuse, forceful sexual relations and rape, 70 people held for murder, or participating in violence using a sharp weapon, 49 people held for miscellenous crimes, and 17 people held for terrorism.
