Criminal Court of the Maldives has formed a bench consisting of three judges to preside over the trial of the suspects involved in the May 6 terrorist attack. The Criminal Court is currently working on beginning the trial but has not yet announced a date for the first hearing or the names of the judges on the bench.
The Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) has submitted cases against Adhuham Ahmed, Mujaaz Ahmed, Thahumeen Ahmed and Ali Haisham for prosecution. PGO has raised charges against the four suspects totalling 13 counts under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
Prosecutor General (PG) Hussain Shameem has said Adhuham is charged with attempting a terrorist act, planning a terrorist act, supporting a terrorist group, and attempted murder with the use of a weapon. PG Shameem said Adhuham would receive a 37-year prison sentence if found guilty on all counts and that state prosecutors have made a plea agreement with the defendant, which would reduce the sentence to 23 years.
Furthermore, Thahumeem has been charged with planning a terrorist act, participating in a terrorist act, aiding in transporting explosives, and supporting a terrorist group. He would receive a prison sentence of over 49 years if found guilty on all counts.
Meanwhile, Haisham has been charged with planning a terrorist act, aiding in transporting explosives, and participating in a terrorist act. He faces a prison sentence of 46 years if found guilty on all counts.
In addition, Mujaaz has been charged with planning a terrorist act, which carries a prison sentence of 17-20 years and aiding a fleeing criminal, which carries a prison sentence of 9 years and 18 months.
The PG has said he hopes to broadcast the trial live on television.