Prosecutor General's Office (PG Office) has decided to revert the charges raised against individuals who breached the lockdown orders imposed in the Greater Male' Region amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a statement, the PG Office said it is sending back the charges pressed against individuals for breaching lockdown orders of the Health Protection Agency (HPA). The PG Office said the decision to not raise charges depends on the situation as the basis of the Maldives Penal Code is not punishing people and granting leniency depending on the gravity and the records. The PG Office stated it is in the best interest of all individuals to not generate a criminal record out of the situation as the individuals who violated the lockdown orders include people stranded in Male' City and individuals who have essential reasons.
Maldives Police Service (MPS) forwarded 312 cases to the PG Office to raise charges for breaching the lockdown orders imposed in the Greater Male' Region amid the COVID-19 situation. MPS also fined over 9,000 individuals for breaching the lockdown orders imposed on April 15.