High Court overturns bail of man accused of sexually assaulting minor

High Court has quashed the conditional release of a man in his 60s who was arrested pending trial on charges of sexually assaulting a minor.

Ahmed Moosa, a resident of a southern island, was charged on March 9 and ordered into custody on March 14 under the Special Procedures Against Child Sexual Offenders Act. He was remanded over concerns he could tamper with evidence and pose a risk to the community.

Moosa’s lawyer had submitted medical records claiming he was disabled, suffered from multiple health conditions including kidney disease, arthritis, thyroid problems, mental illness and heart disease and required constant assistance. The magistrate court granted conditional release, allowing him to seek medical treatment with police approval and barring contact with the victim and their family.

The prosecution appealed the decision, arguing there was no basis to release him. The High Court agreed, ruling that the medical documents did not justify why Moosa could not be held in custody and that he remained a risk to the case.

High Court said a decision on his remand can be taken again if an application is filed within five days of the ruling.