Malé, Maldives – The Criminal Court of Maldives on Friday extended the remand for members of an extensive human trafficking ring for an additional 15 days.
On January 2022, the Maldives Police Service cracked down on a human trafficking operation and arrested four individuals including one police officer and a Bangladeshi national.
At the Criminal Court on Friday, Judge Ahmed Shakeel extended the remand of two Maldivians, Mohamed Waheed (65), Dhaftharu and Moosa Fathuhy (55), S. Hithadhoo for a third time.
The remand was extended as police had submitted sufficient evidence against the suspects and posed a threat to society.
Judge Shakeel however advised to adhere to pandemic protocols and provide medical care in detaining the elderly Waheed.
While Waheed claims that he was framed in the case due to a third party, he has prior records relating to human trafficking. Judge rejected Fathuhy’s plea stating that he has no priors.
Police previously submitted evidence that the two had tried to communicate with witnesses in police protection.
The four arrested are suspected of being a part of a human trafficking operation that trafficks a large number of foreigners into the Maldives.
The police officer arrested in connection to the case has been suspended without pay.
