Man jailed pending trial’s end for torching motorbikes outside Parliament

The man arrested for torching motorbikes in the parking zone in front of the Parliament building has been jailed pending the outcome of his trial.

The fire at the parking zone, located in the Henveiru district of Male’ City, broke out at around 02:55 am on June 4. The police arrested a 36-year-old Maldivian male in connection to the case the next day. He was initially remanded in custody of the police for 30 days.

The man was brought before the Criminal court for an extension to his remand on Saturday.

Court documents show the state asked for the suspect to be held in a custodial jail pending the outcome of his trial, citing that the prosecution was close to filing formal charges.

The court granted the request.

In issuing the order, the court said it found the crime the suspect is accused of to be dangerous in nature, causing damage to the property of multiple people, and possibly endangering lives.

The court found the prosecution submitted sufficient against the suspect, including snapshots of video footage and other evidence.

It also noted that the suspect has a prior record for arrests and detentions.

A second fire broke out in Male’ on June 17, two weeks after the first fire. It burned down five motorbikes parked at the Meheli Goalhi, located near the petrol shed in front of the Alimas Carnival area.

However, the police found no evidence that the fire was deliberate.