All members of Parole Board dismissed over Abucha’s release

All members of the Parole Board have been dismissed over their decision to grant parole to alleged Addu drug kingpin Abdulla Ibrahim (Abucha) after the notorious convict, who was serving a life sentence for drug trafficking.

The new development was announced by Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihusan at a press briefing at the President's Office on Tuesday evening.

Abucha received a life term of 25 years in prison in May last year over his involvement in an attempt to smuggle over 98 kilos of drugs into the Maldives.

But the Maldives Correctional Service confirmed on Monday that he was released on parole on Thursday.

At Tuesday’s press briefing, Ihusan said Abucha had been taken back to prison.

He further announced the decision to dismiss all members of the Parole Board over Abducha's unlawful release. 

The Parole Board comprises of members representing various institutions.

Abucha was arrested in a major operation at sea in October 2020, during which the police seized over 98.6 kilos of drugs, including heroin, MDMA, and amphetamines.

He was originally pressed with two charges in the case – each carrying 25 years in prison, but had his sentence reduced by half under a plea deal with the prosecution.

Maldives Prisons and Parole Act states that convicts who receive a life term for drug trafficking may only be eligible for parole if they have finished serving at least half of their sentence.

However, Abucha has only spent five years in prison, including his time in detention in the case.