PG Office: Indian teacher departed after police had been asked to withhold his passport

Prosecutor General’s (PG) Office has said that departure from Maldives was facilitated for Wilson Thomas, English teacher at Gaafu Alifu Gemanafushi School accused of sexual abuse of several students, after police had been notified to withhold his passport.

An official of PG Office told Sun Online today that work was ongoing to appeal Gaafu Alifu Maamendhoo Magistrate Court’s order to release Thomas.

“We had decided to appeal Maamendhoo Court’s decision to release him, and notified Maldives Police Service to withhold his passport. While efforts were ongoing to file the appeal case, we have been informed via media that his departure has been facilitated,” the official said.

An official of Gemanafushi School said that following the release order, Thomas was placed under the supervision of Gaafu Alifu Atoll Education Centre, and he had also been summoned by Education Ministry before he departed to India.

He added that Thomas’s departure was arranged by the Indian High Commission in the Maldives.

“The tickets, from Kooddoo to Male’ and from Male’ to India, were emailed to him by the Indian High Commission. He took the 9:00 a.m. flight yesterday from Kooddoo to Ibrahim Nasir International Airport, and departed to India at 2:00 p.m. The Atoll Education Centre was only informed after he had departed from the country,” he said.

Police say they have gathered evidence against Thomas of sexual abuse of students, including video footage and victim testimonies, which are sufficient to lead to a conviction.