Saleem alleges judges, police back criminals

Eydhafushi MP Ahmed Saleem on Wednesday made a serious allegation claiming that court judges and police were helping organized criminal activities.

The MP at Wednesday’s parliament said that highly-organized criminal networks are possible because of the backing by judges and police officers, who regularly provide sensitive information to criminals.

He said this while argument on the amendment bill for the Criminal Procedure Act, that seeks to revise the bail procedure. Manadhoo MP Husny Mubarik submitted the bill on behalf of Maldives government.

Saleem such changes were ignored during previous administrations to evade accountability.

The MP also said that the conviction rate in serious and organized criminal activities, including drug trafficking and peddling have been zero in the past years, and said alleged judges primarily focused on the acquittal of suspects using legal loopholes.

“I do not see any possibility where criminals can be brought to justice, since they are confident, they will not get caught or sentenced. And they employ modern technology, to methodically plan their activities while ensuring the chances of their arrest are minimized. I suspect they get help from judges and police,” the MP claimed.

Saleem highlighted that though authorities collect sufficient evidence against suspects, including witness testimonials, it falls short during court trials resulting in the acquittal of serious offenders.

While highlighting the priority of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration on strengthening measures to combat criminal activities, Saleem said any step otherwise would endanger the public in future.

At Wednesday’s parliament sitting, Saleem spoke in favor of bail stressing on lengthy court trials, some of which run for 10 to 15 years until it reaches a Supreme Court verdict. He argued the suspect should not be kept in jail during lengthy trial periods.

“What happens when it all ends eventually? The time they spent in jail unjustly, and the loss of their rights and livelihood? What about their parents’ pain? But there is no thought to expedite these issues. After it takes 10 to 15 years for the trial to conclude at the Supreme Court, an innocent person has suffered long enough,” Saleem said.

He stressed the current administration would not allow injustice, and said court trials will be reliant on adduceable evidences sufficient enough to prove one’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

Saleem said criminals do not fear for any repercussions they may face since they are confident of evading justice, and added the alarming increase of juveniles in criminal activities.

The amendment bill seeks to empower law enforcement authorities regarding cybercrime along with a more streamlined bail process. The bill also aims to set procedures to conduct investigations into cybercrime.