The previous government had released over 400 prisoners this year, including those convicted of serious crimes such as child abuse and assault.
The statistics provided to PSM by the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology shows that 434 prisoners were released from January 1 to November 16 under clemency and parole. Of these, 289 were given presidential pardons, including three individuals convicted of sexual offences, 248 convicted of drug-related offences, 16 convicted of violent crimes, 21 of property and financial offenses and one of giving false information.
Additionally, 53 individuals were released under parole. They include two individuals arrested for sexual offences, 46 individuals arrested for drug-related offences, three arrested for violent crimes and two arrested for property and financial offences.
From January to November, 91 individuals were placed under house arrest. Of these, 22 were arrested for sexual offences, 36 for drug-related offences, seven for violent crimes and 19 for property and financial offences. In addition, seven individuals arrested for other offenses have been transferred to house arrest.
According to the statistics, 220 individuals were released following the completion of their sentences, with nine individuals were released for treatment by the National Drug Agency. In addition, four individuals were sent abroad for medical treatment while 151 were either released on bail or had their sentences overturned.
The Clemency Act confers the president the power to grant pardons and reduce the sentences of indviduals convicted of a criminal offence who have no further right of appeal. Three days prior to the conclusion of his term, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih pardoned former Vice President Ahmed Adeed and former Managing Director of MMPRC Abdulla Ziyath, who were convicted over the MMPRC corruption scandal.