Ashad Ali has been removed from the position of Minister of State for Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment after the Criminal Court of the Maldives sentenced him to prison for 15 days.
Ashad Ali was sentenced to prison after he failed to fulfill his responsibilities as the guarantor to bring the former Minister of Tourism Ali Waheed back to the Maldives for his sexual assault and harassment trial. Ali Waheed left the country last year citing a need for urgent medical treatment, and Ashad Ali was made responsible to bring the former minister back to the country within 4 months for his trial. However, Ali Waheed has still not returned to the Maldives.
The Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) pressed charges against Ashad Ali for his failure to fulfill the conditions set by the court for the release of Ali Waheed. Although the state had requested a one-year prison sentence for Ashad Ali, the Criminal Court decided to sentence him to prison for just 15 days. The sentence was issued in the absence of Ashad Ali, who did not show up to the hearing.
Following the prison sentence, Ashad Ali has been removed from his position as the state minister. Meanwhile, Maldives Correctional Service (MCS) has requested for the assistance of Maldives Police Service (MPS) to locate Ashad Ali who has reportedly left the country. However, no official confirmation has been given on the whereabouts of Ashad Ali.
Ashad Ali, who was also part of the Maldives national football team that played in last year’s SAFF Championship, is a close accomplice of former Tourism Minister Ali Waheed.