Liquor discovered in house and chicken coop leads to fines, lashes, and commuted jail terms

A man has been sentenced to jail for possession of liquor inside a chicken coop. The incident happened on a large island in the northern part of the Maldives, and according to the case report, it took place in late December last year.

Based on information received by the police, the prosecution found alcohol inside both the accused’s house and a chicken coop on the property. The prosecution filed two charges against him: drinking alcohol, and carrying out an activity without the required permit. The man pleaded guilty to both charges.

The basic punishment for drinking alcohol is one month and six days in jail. However, because the accused confessed and requested leniency, the sentence was commuted. His 14-day jail term was reduced to a fine of MVR 2,800. In addition, drinking alcohol carries a mandated corporal penalty, and he was sentenced to 40 lashes.

He was also sentenced to three months and 10 days in jail for carrying out an activity without a permit. This sentence, too, was commuted based on his confession. It was reduced to a fine of MVR 20,000, meaning the penalty for illegal work exceeded the punishment for drinking alcohol as a Muslim in this case.