Advocates seek monitored release for those in prolonged pre-trial detention

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu met on Wednesday with a group of advocates representing individuals held in extended pre-trial detention.

During the meeting held at the President’s Office yesterday, the advocates acknowledged the current administration’s increased efforts to address the issue, expressing hope that these would lead to meaningful reform.

The group proposed solutions including monitored release mechanisms such as electronic tagging or supervised arrangements to offer detainees a second chance.

They also highlighted the need to strengthen the judiciary’s capacity to process cases more swiftly, raised concerns about detention conditions that they said violate human dignity and urged the state to uphold Islamic values of compassion, justice and the prohibition of cruelty.

President Muizzu reiterated that introducing a structured bail system is a key government policy. He said he would consult with the Prosecutor General and the Attorney General to examine legal or procedural obstacles to implementing monitored release options.

President Muizzu also noted that a new court complex is under development, with measures being considered to speed up proceedings. He assured that prison conditions would be reviewed and said the concerns raised would be taken seriously.

The advocates submitted a document detailing proposed short-term measures, including statistics and case studies on prolonged detention during the meeting.