Man who damaged mosque freed after serving longer in custody than sentence

Naushad Mosa, who was charged with entering a mosque in Malé and causing damage to its property, has been released from custody after the Criminal Court determined he had already served more time in detention than the sentence imposed. The court found Naushad guilty and on 1 November sentenced him to one month and 15 days imprisonment. However, under the order to detain him until the trial ended, he spent one month and 21 days in custody. According to the Penal Code, the period of pre-trial detention must be deducted from the punishment. Since Naushad's detention period exceeded the sentence, the court cancelled the custody order and released him. Naushad Mosa has previously been taken into police custody several times for entering mosques in Malé and causing damage, cutting mosque doors, and in cases involving drugs and theft.