Maldives Parliament to investigate controversial drug trafficker parole

The People’s Majlis Judiciary Committee has voted to launch an inquiry into the controversial parole release and subsequent re-arrest of Abdulla Ibrahim, also known as “Abucha”. Ibrahim, a convicted drug trafficker, was serving a 25-year sentence following a plea bargain related to the smuggling of nearly 100 kilograms of drugs.

Ibrahim was released on parole on October 1 after serving approximately five to six years, despite legal requirements stating that convicts must serve at least half of their sentence to be eligible. The decision sparked significant public backlash, leading to Ibrahim’s re-arrest on October 6 and the dismissal of all members of the Parole Board.

The parliamentary inquiry, initiated by MP Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudoo), aims to determine how the legal error occurred and whether the Parole Board had improper communications with the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology. Minister Ali Ihusaan stated the release resulted from a miscalculation of time served, noting that the administration maintains a strict policy against early release for major drug traffickers.