Parole Board faces parliamentary inquiry over Addu drug kingpin Abucha’s release

The Parliament’s Judiciary Committee decided on Wednesday to open inquiry into the Parole Board’s decision to release alleged Addu drug kingpin Abdulla Ibrahim (Abucha), who was serving a life sentence for drug trafficking, and to summon members of the Board for questioning over the decision.

Abucha was received a life term of 25 years in prison in May last year over his involvement in an attempt to smuggle over 98 kilos of drugs into the Maldives.

Maldives Prisons and Parole Act states that convicts who receive a life term for drug trafficking may only be eligible for parole if they have finished serving at least half of their sentence.

However, Abucha was released on parole on October 1 after spending only five years in prison, including his time in detention in the case.

The decision, which hit news headlines on October 5, sparked immediate public backlash.

Abucha was subsequently taken back to prison on October 6, and all members of the Parole Board were dismissed.

North Galolhu MP Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudu), a lawmaker from the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), proposed that the Judiciary Committee conduct an inquiry into the case and hold those responsible accountable. He said the inquiry should cover the reason why the Parole Board was involved in such a huge legal blunder, leading to the release of a major criminal, as well as the legality of Abucha's reimprisonment based merely on an administrative decision.

He also asked the committee to investigate whether the Parole Board held any communications with the Homeland Security Ministry during the process, and for details of these communications.

The Judiciary Committee convened for a meeting on Wednesday during which it decided to open an inquiry into the case, citing that it is a serious matter of high public interest.

Faresmaathoda MP Ashraf Rasheed, a member of the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC), presented a motion calling for members of the Parole Board to be summoned for questioning for the inquiry.

The motion passes with the unanimous consensus of the committee.

Abucha was arrested in a major operation at sea in October 2020, during which the police seized over 98.6 kilos of drugs, including heroin, MDMA, and amphetamines.

He was originally pressed with two charges in the case – each carrying 25 years in prison, but had his sentence reduced by half under a plea deal with the prosecution.