Incumbent president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom on Tuesday reiterated his government's commitment to enforcing the death penalty in the Maldives.
Since taking office in 2013, president Yameen has been pushing to enforce the death penalty after ending the de facto moratorium that has been in place in the country for over six decades.
In June 2016, capital punishment regulations were amended to allow for hanging in addition to lethal injections as methods of execution.
President Yameen has since been giving several dates to begin capital punishment, last of which was nearly a year ago.
Speaking after inaugurating a shore protection project Gaaf Dhaal Atoll Madaveli island on Tuesday, president Yameen said his government would begin capital punishment after the 'procedural requirements' are completed.
President Yameen said his government's foreign policy has come under criticism only because of efforts to protect the country's sovereignty and Islamic principles and values.
"Some people are finding it difficult to accept my foreign policy because my government has striven to stand up for itself. Because my government is trying to protect our sovereignty and Islamic principles and values. Don't challenge me. My government will enforce the death penalty. Do not doubt it," he stressed.
There are currently three convicts on death row in the Maldives. They are Hussain Humam convicted of murdering Dr Afrasheem Ali, Ahmed Murrath convicted of murdering Ahmed Najeeb and Mohamed Nabeel convicted of murdering Abdulla Farhad.
