Home Land Security Minister Ali Ihusan has announced the government's decision to implement the death penalty.

At a press conference today, Minister Ihusan said this government has decided to carry out the death penalty.

“We, the current government, have decided to execute the death penalty,” he said.

The minister said the death penalty would be executed within the framework of law and order and by following the procedures.

“We will look at what needs to be done and do what needs to be done and implement the death penalty within the laws and rules,” Ihusan said.

Four people are currently on death row including Hussain Humaam Ahmed who was convicted of the murder of former MP Dr. Afraasheem Ali in 2012.

Others are Mohamed Nabeel sentenced to death over the murder of Abdulla Faruhaad in 2009, Ahmed Murrath who was sentenced over the murder of Lawyer Ahmed Najeeb in 2012 and Mohamed Shaifan for the killing of Ali Shifan in 2012.

The death penalty has not been implemented in the Maldives since 1953 when Hakeem Didi was convicted of sorcery.