Former Tourism Minister Ali Waheed has escaped a jail sentence for contempt of court.
The Supreme Court, on August 11, 2021, sentenced Ali to two months and 12 days in jail for contempt of court after he failed to appear when ordered to appear in the Supreme Court on the sexual assault charges filed by the state. He had been in self-exile in the United Kingdom at the time.
The Supreme Court informed the Maldives Correctional Service on June 22 that the sentence should not be enforced. It is not entirely clear to AVAS whether he escaped the Supreme Court’s verdict through a presidential pardon or by a review of the Supreme Court’s verdict.
Presidential Spokesperson Miuwan Mohamed confirmed to AVAS that the President had not granted a pardon for the sentence imposed on Ali. The Maldives Correctional Service media officer also confirmed that the records do not show that Ali has any sentence to serve.
Having returned to the Maldives after a period of two years and three days, Ali expressed his intention to seek justice within the existing legal system for the allegations made against him. He assured that he would respond to those who accuse him but emphasized that he would not pursue charges against the state or those who allegedly framed him.
