Extra time given to appeal against conviction in 72kg drug case

The State has been granted additional time within which to appeal the acquittal of S. Hulhudhoo, Dheyliyaage resident Irfan Thagiyyu, along with two other individuals in the case surrounding the smuggling of 72 kg worth of drugs into Maldives. The Prosecutor General's Office is now working on appealing the ruling at the High Court.

The smuggling operation that was conducted on Maldivian waters during December 2020 was foiled by authorities. Three individuals have been named: Irfan Thagiyyu, along with accomplices Ahmed Naseer (Dh. Maaenboodhoo, Anbugasdhoshuge) and Mohamed Akram (H. Garden Beauty).

These three individuals were acquitted from the Criminal Court for the charge of trafficking diamorphine in January. The court ruled that the evidence presented by the prosecution does not prove that the drugs were smuggled in on the boat.

The PG Office previously announced that they would be appealing the Criminal Court's ruling. However, the appeal was not submitted within the given 60 day time frame. One of the reasons cited by the PG office for the delay was the slowed pace the reports were released at from the lower courts, impeding their appeal process.

According to an amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act, the court are allowed to count the period of appeal from the date of issuance of reports by the lower court. In this case, the High Court granted the PG Office's request to grant them the appeal period in this manner.

The window to appeal will close on 31st July, as is being checked and counted by the PG office. The office has said that they are in the process of preparing the appeal form.

While 10 people were charged with the crime, charges against seven individuals were withdrawn. The Prosecutor General's Office stated that there wasn't enough evidence to convict the seven individuals as per the superior court rulings.