Maldivian ‘IS Leader’ Sentenced to 27 Years in Prison in Landmark Trial

Mohamed Ameen, suspected leader of Islamic State in the Maldives, was sentenced to 27 years in prison on terrorism charges. He received 10 years for affiliation with a terrorist organization and 17 years for conspiracy to commit terrorism. Time served (3 years, 11 months, 9 days) will be deducted, leaving up to 23 years and 11 months. He is the first person prosecuted under the amended Prevention of Terrorism Act 1990 and the first Maldivian on the US OFAC terrorist list. His trial began on 9 October and was held in secret. He was initially accused of the 2007 Sultan Park bombing, fled to Sri Lanka, and was arrested via Interpol Red Notice. After release in 2012, he was rearrested for recruiting Maldivians to IS. The High Court ordered his release in September 2020, but the Supreme Court overturned that decision in October 2021.

Mohamed Ameen, suspected leader of Islamic State in the Maldives, was sentenced to 27 years in prison on terrorism charges. He received 10 years for affiliation with a terrorist organization and 17 years for conspiracy to commit terrorism. Time served (3 years, 11 months, 9 days) will be deducted, leaving up to 23 years and 11 months. He is the first person prosecuted under the amended Prevention of Terrorism Act 1990 and the first Maldivian on the US OFAC terrorist list. His trial began on 9 October and was held in secret. He was initially accused of the 2007 Sultan Park bombing, fled to Sri Lanka, and was arrested via Interpol Red Notice. After release in 2012, he was rearrested for recruiting Maldivians to IS. The High Court ordered his release in September 2020, but the Supreme Court overturned that decision in October 2021.

Mohamed Ameen, suspected leader of Islamic State in the Maldives, was sentenced to 27 years in prison on terrorism charges. He received 10 years for affiliation with a terrorist organization and 17 years for conspiracy to commit terrorism. Time served (3 years, 11 months, 9 days) will be deducted, leaving up to 23 years and 11 months. He is the first person prosecuted under the amended Prevention of Terrorism Act 1990 and the first Maldivian on the US OFAC terrorist list. His trial began on 9 October and was held in secret. He was initially accused of the 2007 Sultan Park bombing, fled to Sri Lanka, and was arrested via Interpol Red Notice. After release in 2012, he was rearrested for recruiting Maldivians to IS. The High Court ordered his release in September 2020, but the Supreme Court overturned that decision in October 2021.

This story involves 1 source and may affect public understanding of terrorism / sentencing.