A Magistrate court on Monday released the 18 suspects arrested from Gaaf Alif Kolamaafushi island over damaging ruling Progressive Party of Maldives' (PPM) party camp and equipment inside the premises from remand custody.
Out of the 18 suspects accused of terrorism, 17 have been given a remand extension of 15 days while 12 days were added to the remand of one.
On Friday, the Gaaf Alif Vilingili magistrate court had extended remand of the suspects who were represented by 18 lawyers who traveled to the island earlier for the purpose.
One of their lawyers on Tuesday said all the suspects have been released from custody but did not divulge any details.
The decision came after the opposition alliance secured victory in Sunday's presidential elections.
By Tuesday, as many as five politicians in remand custody on contentious charges have been released by the courts.
As many as nine politicians including former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom was brought to the capital from the main prison in Maafushi island to be produced in court late Monday.
However, the court freed South Machchangoalhi MP Abdulla Sinan, Dhangethi lawmaker Ilham Ahmed Gayoom's son-in-law Ahmed Nadeem and former police chief Ahmed Areef who had been in remand until the end of their trials. The four had been charged with terrorism for conspiring to overthrow the government following the landmark Supreme Court ruling in February.
The court refused to rule on the custodial detention of Gayoom, his lawmaker son, Faris Maumoon, former chief justice Abdulla Saeed and top court judge Ali Hameed pointing out that they had all been jailed on criminal convictions.
The Criminal Court has already released Jumhoory Party deputy leader Abdulla Riyaz earlier Monday before releasing opposition aligned independent lawmaker Ahmed Mahloof on Tuesday.
