Supreme Court orders not to overstep Sealife MD Ammaty’s rights

The Supreme Court ordered not to do anything that would overstep the rights of the Managing Director of SeaLife Global Ahmed Moosa Mohamed (Ammaty).

During the hearing held on Monday, the top court’s order was based on requests made on behalf of Ammaty.

His lawyers requested the Supreme Court to stop the Prosecutor General’s Office from criticizing the Criminal Court after the court-ordered to release Ammaty.

The most recent order to grant him conditional release was issued by the Criminal Court on March 20.

According to the Supreme Court’s order, every individual has the right to be considered innocent until proven guilty. Hence, since the charges against Ammaty were not proven, the court urged them not to do anything that would overstep his rights.

Ammaty is on trial for defrauding over 200 tenants out of millions in booking fees for a proposed apartment complex in Hulhumale’.

The Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) had appealed the Criminal Court’s decision to the High Court, but the petition was rejected, citing it was filed after the window for appeal had already expired.

The PGO appealed the decision to the Supreme Court.

Ammaty, who had an Interpol red notice out for his capture since 2019, was arrested in neighbouring Sri Lanka in February.

He was extradited to Maldives in March 2021 and charged with 42 counts of embezzlement which could see him behind bars for 65 years in May. 

Ammaty has pled ‘not guilty to all 42 charges raised against him.