Ihusan: No criminals freed in conjunction with election

Minister of Homeland Security Ali Ihusaan, on Thursday, affirmed that no criminals were released from custody for political purposes in connection with the recent local council elections.

Responding to questions at a press conference held at the President’s Office concerning the release of individuals detained in a major drug operation in Addu City, Minister Ihusaan explained that the Criminal Procedure Act prescribes specific timelines that commence from the moment of an individual’s arrest.

He further clarified that the suspects in the Addu case were required to be released because the statutory period allotted to the Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) to decide on filing charges had elapsed, leaving no lawful basis for their continued detention at that time.

"A statutory timeline begins the moment an individual is taken into custody. If one examines that timeline, it becomes evident that this was not a decision motivated by the elections. It was simply the result of reaching the deadline by which the PG must decide whether to prosecute or determine the status of the detention," the Minister said.

With regard to the Addu City operation, which followed an eight-month investigation, the Minister noted that although the police had accumulated substantial evidence, guidance from the PGO indicated that proceeding to court with the evidence available at that stage might not produce a favorable outcome, potentially undermining the extensive efforts undertaken by law enforcement.

As such, he added that PGO had directed the authorities to further strengthen the case.

The Minister emphasized that detention is strictly limited to the duration permitted by law. Once this period expires, the individual must be released even if the investigation remains ongoing; however, he underscored that such release does not signify the conclusion of the case.

Notwithstanding these remarks, opposition parties have alleged that several individuals suspected of major drug offenses were released through the influence of senior government officials and lawmakers from the ruling party prior to the council elections.

Moreover, allegations emerged during the campaign that officials had engaged with the families of the suspects, offering assurances of their relatives’ release in exchange for political support for the government. These claims have been categorically rejected by the government.

Notably, a considerable number of high-profile convicts have been released under previous administrations through the exercise of presidential clemency powers. Such cases have included prominent drug traffickers as well as former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb, who had been serving a sentence in connection with the MMPRC corruption scandal.