President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has decided to grant clemency for offenders who were convicted in absentia and have not committed any further offences, five years after sentencing. The decision was made under the discretion granted to the president in Article 29 of the Clemency Act; under the special opportunity granted by the president on the occasion of the 2018 Independence Day and under the opportunity granted to eligible Maldivians.
It was also granted, as inquiries in the wake of grievances of numerous offenders who were sentenced in absentia resulted in the president deciding such people should be given the opportunity to abstain from crime, and lead a good life in society. The president's decision took into consideration some such cases involving people who have married, built a life, are employed and have abstained from crime. It was decided it would be of individual, familial and societal benefit for such offenders to not be thrown back into the criminal environment.
A special committee was formulated to look into these cases. People who would be granted clemency are those who have abstained from criminal activity for five years, have built a family, are employed and are serving the nation. However, criminals convicted of murder, terrorism, sexual abuse of a minor, rape, drug trafficking, forceful sexual misconduct and homosexuality would be exempt from clemency.
The President's Office has now instructed the Ministry of Home Affairs to forward such cases.