President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has today approved an amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act, enabling convicts serving prison sentences to be released on bail while their appeal is pending. The bill, introduced by the government via Manadhoo constituency member of parliament Husnee Mubarik, gained parliamentary approval last Monday.
Bail permits an individual to be released from custody under court-ordered conditions or upon paying a designated monetary amount. Previously, the Criminal Procedure Act permitted bail only for those detained on suspicion of a crime.
Under the newly ratified amendment, individuals appealing their prison sentences may be granted bail until the final resolution of their case. However, exclusions apply to those convicted of serious offenses such as murder, child sexual abuse, and drug trafficking.
To qualify for bail during the appeal process, convicts must demonstrate substantial grounds for appeal, agree to adhere to court conditions, and prove that their detention serves no purpose. Furthermore, those convicted in lower courts may obtain bail before sentencing, provided they can establish that their release is essential for justice administration.
Even when released on bail, individuals may face restrictions such as travel bans, mandatory court appearances at specified times, and prohibitions on contacting case-involved parties.
