Galolhu North MP Mohamed Ibrahim has requested a parliamentary inquiry into the conditional release of Abdulla Ibrahim (Abucha), whom police allege is a major drug trafficker in Addu City.
The Home Minister ordered a reversal of the Parole Board's decision to release Abucha, citing procedural irregularities in the board's assessment. He was re-arrested yesterday evening. Members of the Parole Board are appointed directly by the President.
MP Mohamed Ibrahim has requested that Parliament obtain and review the administrative files regarding the Parole Board's handling of the case. He further proposed summoning senior officials from the Home Ministry to provide clarification on the matter.
Following the controversy, six members of the Parole Board have been dismissed. The government has declined to disclose the names of the removed members, stating that preliminary findings do not suggest any intentional wrongdoing or malice in the decision to release Abucha.
MP Mohamed Ibrahim’s proposal includes summoning all board members who were serving at the time the decision was made to explain the circumstances of the release to Parliament.
Abucha was sentenced to 25 years in prison on May 19 last year for his involvement in an attempt to smuggle 98 kilograms of drugs into the Maldives. His sentence comprised three separate 12.5-year terms. Although it was claimed he qualified for parole after serving 6.5 years, he had not actually completed the required duration.
Under Section 125 of the Prisons and Parole Act, individuals convicted of drug trafficking, trade, or importation are only eligible for parole after serving at least half of their longest single sentence.
