Authority to request MoniCon order taken from Umar, given to committee

Authority to request for Monitor and Control orders against criminals considered a danger to the public has been taken from Minister of Home Affairs Umar Naseer, and given to a four-member committee of high ranking state officials.

Umar spoke to “Sun” and said that President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom made the decision last Thursday.

He said that the decision would ensure greater transparency and confidence in the process.

The committee includes Minister of Home Affairs Umar Naseer, Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture Dr. Mohamed Shainee, Minister of Finance Abdulla Jihad, and Commissioner of Police Ahmed Areef.

Anti-Terrorism Act, Article 29 reads that the authority to request High Court for a MoniCon order against an individual lay with the Minister of Home Affairs.

The article also gives the authority to request with High Court for changes in clauses of MoniCon order, and to stop the MoniCon order to the Minister of Home Affairs.

MoniCon order was brought into existence as part of the effort to stop major crime in the country – specifically gang-related activity. And to monitor and control individuals on the police watchlist.