The Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem has stated that he has not requested the release of any suspected drug traffickers.

Shameem said this in response to a tweet sent out to criticize his actions, after it was reported that he had sought the release of about 30 individuals in remand with stipulations.

While this tweet noted that the PG had on Sunday alone remanded 12 individuals for the duration of their trial, Shameem said that charges have been raised against them, on suspicion of being a part of a drug trafficking network.

The PG stressed that he has not requested the release of any drug traffickers in remand.

As part of the efforts to ensure that the prisons are safe amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the home ministry had requested the PG Office to conduct a review of the people who are under remand until the outcome of their trials and to ease their detention where possible.

Noting that such a review has been conducted, the PG Office spokesperson is to have said that “motions have been filed for the release of about 30 suspects, with conditions”.

However, the official noted that suspects accused of sexual offenses against children, drug trafficking, murder, and involvement in serious cases of assaults or gang violence, were not considered for this release.