Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) has requested National Integrity Commission (NIC) to investigate why two Individuals from Bangladesh were given permission to depart Maldives while a court order was in place to hold their passports. This marks the first time PGO ordered NIC to conduct an investigation against a government institution.
The two Bangladeshis were apprehended in separate cases while trying to smuggle narcotics to Maldives. However, PGO did not specify when the two individuals were apprehended or when they departed Maldives. PGO maintained it will closely observe the running of government institutions and take appropriate action against irresponsible authorities and individuals.
Maldives Immigration did not immediately comment on why the Bangladeshis were allowed to depart. However, in a tweet, Controller General of Maldives Immigration Mohamed Ahmed Hussain (Hanafy) said the case took place in November 2018. Although Hanafy did not specify details of the case, he said Maldives Immigration would cooperate with all relevant authorities in the matter. He took over the position of Controller General in December 2018.