Malé, Maldives – The Criminal Court on Sunday, has extended the detention of Moosa Inaaz who is accused of lighting a fire on a police speedboat harbored in L. Gan.
The incident took place on March 22, 2020, which left the police vessel damaged beyond use. Prior to this, Inaaz was also accused of committing an act of terrorism following the Sultan Park bombings in capital city Malé.
The state, in today’s hearing, stressed that Inaaz could tamper with evidence and that he was accused of a major offense, before requesting to extend his detention due to the risk he posed to society. Further during the hearing, Inaaz submitted complaints regarding his detention.. He mentioned that he was an arthritis patient since 16 years of age and that his health condition in prison had deteriorated as well as that he was suffering from joint pains due to the hard cot he was provided to sleep.
Additionally, Inaaz also argued that his health and medication were not prioritized in prison and that there was insufficient natural light in his cell. Inaaz requested for a mattress to sleep on and to arrange his treatment for his medical issues before requesting to be released from prison.
The state countered his complaints by saying that Inaaz had not made any such complaints before and that he may attempt to tamper with 27 witnesses who were willing to testify against him. Defense lawyers argued that there was no way Inaaz could possibly influence 27 individuals.
Judge Sofwath Habeeb, after hearing the cases, stated that there was no evident reason for the release of Inaaz and that preliminary hearings in the case would be scheduled next month.
