The Criminal Court has ordered the arrest of individuals linked to a series of assaults in Malé.

The court issued a remand order on Saturday for the arrest of three men, aged 18, 26, and 27, accused of conspiring to form a group to carry out assaults using sharp and dangerous weapons.

According to the court order, evidence suggests that the suspects are affiliated with violent groups and have been involved in multiple assaults.

Following their arrest, the Criminal Court ruled that two of the suspects will be held in custody for seven days, while the third suspect will be remanded for 15 days in a custodial jail.

The Government has been ramping up efforts to combat gang-related violence, with Minister of Homeland Security and Technology, Ali Ihusaan, recently acknowledging challenges in enforcing laws and securing convictions under the current legal framework.

He stated that while a new bill targeting violent crimes is currently under review in parliament, loopholes in existing laws have allowed repeat offenders to evade justice.

The Minister further stressed that repeat offenders should not be released back into society, highlighting instances where administrative gaps or lack of action have led to criminals avoiding legal consequences.

He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to law reform, stating that tougher measures and legal amendments will be introduced to close legal loopholes and strengthen crime prevention.