Yameen: Youths subjected to indefinite remand over fear of a coup

Former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has alleged that youths arrested on suspicion of gang crimes are subjected to indefinite remand over fear they might take to the streets to overthrow the government.

Yameen expressed concern over indefinite remand while speaking at PNF event on Monday night. In this regard, he said individuals arrested on suspicions on felonies from the crime scene itself can be remanded for a definite period of time in order to complete the investigation.

However, he stressed that they cannot be remanded pending the outcome of trial before the police conclude their investigation in any other circumstances.

“The case is not going to trial yet. But they are first taken for indefinite remand. Police have yet to conclude their investigation to the case. How can Police decide they are a criminal and deserving of indefinite remand if their investigation is not complete, unless they were arrested from a crime scene?” he questioned.

Yameen underscored that Maldives lacked a procedure for individuals who spent a great deal of days in indefinite to be compensated for the injustice they have endured.

Speaking further, Yameen said the incumbent administration’s Home Minister Ali Ihusan who had been extremely vocal regarding indefinite remand in the early days since assuming office now remains silent.

“I think the issue of indefinite remand has been left without reform as [President Dr. Mohamed] Muizzu is aware of protests that would happen. It is done via parliament that does not have the capability to impeach [President] Muizzu. But [President] Muizzu knows he has no support on the people front,” he said.

“To stop this, they are taking certain people they want under the pretense of grants and subjecting them to indefinite remand. Subsequently, there is no one to advocate for them and they remain in a limbo within the system,” he added.

Nevertheless, Yameen emphasized his stance against gang crimes and the importance of combatting such crimes. However, he said individuals dressing in a certain way or using a certain symbol should not be generalized as gang members.

Home Minister Ali Ihusan has previously said that the current administration allocates a high priority to stop gang crimes and in this trajectory, has assured that the most prominent gangs operating in the Maldives will be dismantled.

As part of these efforts, the government has submitted a bill to amend the Drugs Act which is aimed at increasing powers vested with authorities.

Resolving the issue of indefinite remand is an electoral pledge of President Muizzu.