UK Issues Apology and Compensation to Ali Waheed Over Arrest
Photo: President’s Office
The United Kingdom has issued an apology to former Maldivian Tourism Minister Ali Waheed and provided compensation of £20,000 (MVR 389,000), according to a statement released by his legal representatives today.
Ali Waheed was apprehended in 2021 during his stay in the UK, facing charges related to the violation of the country’s immigration laws, as well as allegations of sexual assault and rape. Subsequently, he was released from custody.
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އިނގިރޭސިވިލާތުން، އަޅުގަނޑުގެ ކިބައިން މަޢާފަށް އެދި، އެޤައުމުގެ ސަރުކާރުން އަޅުގަނޑު ހައްޔަރުކުރީ ޤާނޫނާ ޚިލާފަށްކަން ކަނޑައަޅައި، ވިހިހާސް ސްޓާލިންގ ޕައުންޑުން އަޅުގަނޑަށް ބަދަލުދޭން ނިންމައިފި.
ވަގުތު ނެގިއަސް ޙައްޤަށް ނަސްރު ލިބޭނެ. ހަމްދު ކުރަނީ ހެއްދެވިފަރާތަށް. އާމީން! pic.twitter.com/fP95aYTSLD— Ali Waheed (@ali20waheed) November 29, 2023
In today’s statement, Ali Waheed’s legal team declared that the UK government has acknowledged the illegality of his arrest. The decision to apologize to Ali and award him £20,000 in compensation was confirmed by the statement.
Ali Waheed had travelled to the UK for medical treatment. However, his trial could not proceed as he failed to appear within the stipulated deadline set by the Maldives court. Following the dismissal of the case by the court, the prosecution opted not to pursue the charges any further, citing the victims’ request to cease legal proceedings.
After the charges were withdrawn, Ali Waheed returned to the Maldives last year.
