Repeat arrests of known offenders are once again raising serious questions about the effectiveness of the Maldives’ justice system. Critics say the cycle of quick arrests and early releases is undermining public trust in law enforcement and the courts.

Twenty-nine-year-old Mohamed Zameer from Filadhoo Island was first arrested on September 7th for operating an extortion scheme using explicit images. After spending just fifteen days in remand, he was released.

But this week, Zameer was arrested again, along with twenty-seven-year-old Shumeen Rasheed, after the pair allegedly threatened another person and extorted money.

In a similar case, twenty-eight-year-old Mohamed Maaidh from Velidhoo Island has been arrested multiple times on drug-related charges.

Police records show Maaidh was first arrested in August 2024 with over 1.5 kilograms of drugs, but was released after a few days in custody.

He was arrested again in February this year for possession of narcotics and released after five days in remand.

Eight months later, in September, he was arrested once more during a police anti-drug operation that uncovered drugs and cash. Maaidh was taken into custody along with thirty-year-old Ali Abdulla, also from Velidhoo.

These back-to-back arrests highlight what many see as a revolving door in the criminal justice system — where offenders are released after short remand periods and soon return to the same criminal activities.

Law enforcement officials and legal experts have long warned that weak remand procedures, delays in prosecution, and lenient bail conditions are enabling repeat offenders to reoffend.

The recent cases have renewed calls for tougher remand laws and faster court processes to break the cycle of arrest and release — a pattern many say is eroding confidence in the Maldives’ justice system.