The High Court has accepted the Prosecutor General’s Office motion to designate the Addu‑based Scoope Group as a gang under the Gang Prevention Act.
The case, filed in mid‑January, marks the first time a group has been formally submitted to the court for gang designation under the new law, which came into force last year to curb organized criminal activity.
According to the Prosecutor General’s Office, the court accepted the motion after reviewing evidence submitted by the Maldives Police Service. The office stated that the Scoope Group meets the legal criteria for a gang and remains active in criminal activity.
The prosecution has requested the court to officially declare the group a gang and identify nine individuals as members.
In addition, the Prosecutor General’s Office has asked the Addu City Council to instruct the Sports Commissioner to dissolve SKP Sports Club, also known as Scoope Kanmathi Sports Club, which is alleged to be affiliated with the group. The request includes removing signage and markings bearing the names “Scoope,” “Scoope Kanmathi,” and “SKP” from club premises.
Police special taskforce in a gang operation apprehends a suspect. (Sun Photo)
This is the second group police have submitted for gang designation. The first motion was withdrawn after police had not completed the investigation required to support the claim. The Scoope Group case is the first to be formally admitted to court.
“Once the court rules on this matter, we will continue to work with the Maldives Police Service to take further action against the group and its members under the law,” the Prosecutor General’s Office said in a statement.
Under the Gang Prevention Act, police may submit a group for gang identification to the Prosecutor General’s Office, which then forwards the case to the High Court. The law provides the group an opportunity to respond before a final designation is made.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu previously stated that no group had met the legal threshold to be declared a gang. Speaking on November 17 last year, he said the government’s policy had significantly reduced youth involvement in gangs. He also noted that the law imposes strict penalties and aims to protect young people from criminal influence.