Criminal Court Case Resolution Accelerates Following Judicial and Investigative Reforms

The operations of the Criminal Court have seen a significant increase in speed and efficiency, according to Prosecutor General Abbas Shareef. Speaking on the PSM News programme ‘Raajje Miadhu’, the Prosecutor General highlighted that the administration of justice has become a primary focus, leading to a substantial reduction in the duration of criminal investigation phases over the last two years. This acceleration is the result of a coordinated effort to streamline workflows across multiple agencies. According to Abbas Shareef, regulatory amendments have enhanced the operations of the Anti-Corruption Commission, while the Maldives Police Service has concurrently strengthened its investigative procedures. These institutional improvements have worked in tandem with broader court reforms to eliminate long-standing bottlenecks in the legal system. Reflecting on his tenure, the Prosecutor General noted that the inability to resolve cases in the Criminal Court was once one of the most prevalent public complaints. He observed that the pace of the court has now increased to such a degree that it occasionally presents a challenge for prosecutors to keep up with the rapid turnover of cases. Looking toward the future, the Prosecutor General announced that the ‘PGO 2.0’ project will integrate digitalization and artificial intelligence to further bolster legal services. Once finalized, this technical framework will be extended to other departments. Shareef asserted that by 2028, judicial bodies will be operating at a modernized level, utilizing AI assistants to ensure a more transparent and efficient administration of justice. These institutional advancements have been supported by strong inter-government cooperation. The Prosecutor General stated that upon assuming office, he sought the support of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu to resolve internal administrative hurdles and reinforce the investigative framework, securing the President's full and continuous backing to implement these reforms.