The Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) has announced a new initiative to review the custody of individuals held pending trial, offering the possibility of conditional release under an electronic monitoring system.

The aim is to address concerns over prolonged pre-trial detention and marks a shift towards alternative custodial measures.

According to the PGO, the initiative will involve the release of eligible individuals under Article 66(b)(6) of the Criminal Procedure Code, with court-imposed conditions that will remain in effect for up to 100 days. These conditions will be reviewed at the end of each 100-day period, and any violations may lead to a request for re-detention.

The decision follows recent discussions led by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, who met with legal advocates earlier in May to address complaints surrounding extended pre-trial detention. The President stressed the need to expedite trials and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to finding a solution.

Subsequent meetings were held with the Minister of Homeland Security and Technology, Ali Ihusaan; Attorney General, Uz Ahmed Usham; and Prosecutor General, Uz Abbas Shareef, to explore practical steps towards implementing alternatives to pre-trial detention.

As part of the process, the PGO stated that the Maldives Police Service and Maldives Correctional Service will conduct a comprehensive risk assessment to evaluate public safety concerns for each case. The findings will help determine whether electronic monitoring is a viable alternative. The PGO will only request court approval for conditional release once this assessment has been completed and found satisfactory.

The PGO also announced that individuals currently in pre-trial detention may now apply for conditional release under the new arrangement. Requests can be submitted using the “Electronic Monitoring System Relief Request Custody Form,” available on the PGO website and at its service counters. The form can also be accessed through its online portal and will be distributed at detention centres managed by the Maldives Correctional Service.