A member of the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC), who faced a potential life sentence after drugs were discovered hidden in her underwear, has been cleared of all charges.
Aishath Fahudha, of Irudhoadhi, Haa Alif Hoarafushi, was exonerated on Wednesday after Prosecutor General (PG) Abbas Shareef withdrew the drug trafficking charges against her, ensuring she faces no legal penalties.
During proceedings at the Laamu Fonadhoo Magistrate Court, the PG Office stated that the charges against Fahudha—whose name remains on the official PNC membership registry—were dropped because another individual had claimed ownership of the drugs found in her undergarments.
"Upon reviewing the diamorphine trafficking charges against Aishath Fahudha, the office decided not to proceed further. This decision considers that Ibrahim Imad, a co-defendant in this case, has taken full responsibility for the seized drugs and has been convicted. The office also took into account the surrounding circumstances of the case," the Fonadhoo Court stated.
Imad, who was with Fahudha at the time of her arrest on November 18, 2024, claimed responsibility for the substances. The pair were apprehended following a tip-off regarding drug distribution. After being taken into custody, Fahudha was searched at a police station under a court order.
The drugs were discovered inside a taped plastic packet placed on a sanitary pad she was wearing. The packet contained 9.2 grams of heroin, a potent and widely abused substance in the Maldives.
Under Maldivian law, possession of more than four grams of heroin carries a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment and a fine ranging from MVR 100,000 to MVR 10 million.
Following the initial indictment, the PG Office had presented a significant body of evidence against Fahuda. This included a confession she reportedly made during her remand hearing.
Before the withdrawal, the court had already ruled that the case met the civil standard of proof to proceed to trial. The court noted that this determination was based on the evidence and testimony submitted by the PG Office.
The decision to drop the charges came just as the case was nearing the commencement of the full trial following preliminary hearings. Under Maldivian law, the PG retains the authority to withdraw a case at any point before the formal trial proceedings begin.
