Minister of Homeland Security and Technology, Ali Ihusaan, has proposed several measures to address the growing issue of individuals being held in prolonged remand due to extended trial periods.

He made these remarks while speaking at the Bandhu Forum, organised by the Prosecutor General’s Office on Saturday, in response to a question regarding delays in the judicial process.

Minister Ihusaan suggested two potential solutions, acknowledging that they may not be the most legally sound options but could offer immediate relief to the situation. He identified the lack of courtroom space and concerns over security as the primary challenges contributing to prolonged remand periods.

Considering the small population of the Maldives, the Minister suggested exploring a system where judges handling sensitive cases are provided with the same level of protection as confidential witnesses. He noted that while this approach may differ from practices in other countries, it could prove effective in the Maldivian context.

Additionally, Minister Ihusaan proposed the idea of conducting trials where the identities of both judges and witnesses are kept confidential. He explained that this approach aims to address concerns from those who believe it is challenging to provide adequate protection for everyone in a small society like the Maldives.

To tackle the issue of limited courtroom space, particularly at the Criminal Court, the Minister suggested utilising island courts to hear criminal cases via video conferencing. He noted that it is not essential for all cases to be heard physically in the Criminal Court in Malé, and that online trials could provide a practical solution in the current circumstances.