International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) has released a red notice on former Tourism Minister Ali Waheed after the Criminal Court issued a bench warrant.
Maldives Police Service had previously claimed that efforts to extradite Ali Waheed, who departed the country after his passport was freed due to a medical emergency, have been delayed pending an English translation of the bench warrant issued by the Criminal Court. However, Criminal Court recently provided an English translation of the bench warrant to the Maldives Police Service.
Ali Waheed was dismissed as Tourism Minister in July 2020, following allegations of sexual assault by tourism ministry employees.
He is charged with seven counts of sexual offences, including attempted rape, sexual indecent exposure, sexual assault, attempting to commit sexual assault, and unlawful sexual contact.
He had a travel prohibition against him at the time, but on February 9, the Criminal Court temporarily freed his passport and permitted him to fly overseas for medical treatment. He departed for the United Kingdom right away.
Former State Minister Assad Ali has also been sentenced to 15 days in jail by the Criminal Court as the guarantor for the return of Ali Waheed who failed to appear at the court to stand trial on multiple counts of sexual assault.
