Alleged Maldivian jihadis cleared of intent to join terror group

The first Maldivians to be charged with travelling abroad with the intent of joining a terror group have been acquitted and set free.

In a closed hearing Thursday, the criminal court decided that the prosecution was unable to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Ahmed Latheef, Ahmed Suhail Moosa, and Munawwar Abdulla went to Turkey to cross the border into Syria.

In the not guilty verdict made public Sunday, Judge Adam Arif said there were “big differences” between the testimony of nine prosecution witnesses at court and their statements taken during the police investigation.

The prosecution also failed to submit any documentation to prove that the three men were arrested in Turkey.