The Criminal Court of the Maldives has granted a 14-day bail to Ahmed Moosa, commonly known as Ammattee, the primary defendant in the high-profile SeaLife fraud case. This decision temporarily lifts the travel restrictions imposed on Moosa, allowing him to travel abroad under specific conditions.
Moosa, the owner of SeaLife Global, has been at the center of a fraud scandal involving allegations of deceiving individuals by collecting payments under the pretense of constructing residential flats. His passport had been seized as part of the ongoing legal proceedings against him.
According to the court’s decision, Moosa’s passport will be temporarily released for the 14-day period, during which he is allowed to travel overseas. However, this concession comes with the condition that he must be accompanied by another individual during his travels. The Criminal Court clarified that the prosecution did not oppose this arrangement.
The travel period will commence on the date specified by the Maldives Immigration Department, and Moosa is required to return to the country before the 14-day timeframe expires. Failure to comply with this condition may result in further legal consequences.
This is not the first time Moosa’s travel restrictions have been eased. Last year, the Criminal Court had initially permitted his passport to be released for a medical operation abroad. However, the decision faced criticism, and the prosecution successfully appealed to the Supreme Court, which ruled that allowing him to leave the country was a mistake.
The SeaLife fraud case remains one of the most significant financial fraud cases in the Maldives, with numerous victims alleging that they were misled into making substantial payments for apartments that were never delivered. Legal proceedings against Moosa are ongoing, and the temporary bail highlights the delicate balance between upholding the defendant’s rights and ensuring justice for the alleged victims.
This latest development has reignited public interest in the case, as many await further updates on its resolution.
