Hearing for 3 Maldivians arrested traveling to Syria cancelled

Hearing scheduled for this Tuesday for the three Maldivian men apprehended at Turkey/Syria border in 2016 has been cancelled.

The three men were apprehended at the border on February 15, 2016 attempting to travel into

Syria to join militant groups fighting the civil war in the country.

They have been charged with traveling out of Maldives to partake in a war taking place in a foreign country.

The three men are:

1. Ahmed Latheef, Mugurige, L. Maamendhoo

2. Ahmed Sulaih Moosa, Neal Villa, G. Dh. Rathafandhoo

3. Munawwar Abdulla, Sceneryge, Th. Gaadhiffushi

Criminal Court reported the hearing scheduled for 11 am, this Tuesday, was cancelled upon request of State prosecution.

Court was scheduled to hear pleas and accept evidence and witnesses for consideration during the hearing.

The three defendants have been charged in reference to Article 16 (a) of Anti-Terrorism Act.

Article 16 (a) of Anti-Terrorism Act states that unless proven otherwise, travelling out of Maldives to partake in a war taking place in a foreign country without permission of Maldivian government is a criminal offense.

The three defendants face 17 to 20 years in prison if found guilty.

In a similar case, another Maldivian man - Mohamed Abdul Rahman from R. Dhuvaafaru – stands trial for operating in a militant group in Pakistan for 9 years. He also faces 17 to 20 years in prison if found guilty.