The Maldives Correctional Service has appealed a Civil Court ruling ordering the reinstatement of former Assistant Commissioner of Prisons, Mohamed Asif, who was dismissed over allegations of misconduct.

The Civil Court ruled on 10 May that Asif should be reinstated to his former position and paid the salary he would have received during the period he was removed from office.

Asif, who served as president of the Corrections Prisons Club, was accused of transferring more than MVR 200,000 from the club’s account to various accounts without authorisation. Following an investigation, he was suspended for around eight months before being officially dismissed in July 2024.

Challenging the dismissal, Asif filed a case at the Civil Court, arguing that the decision was unlawful. After reviewing evidence from both parties, the court found that the dismissal had been improperly carried out and ordered the state to reinstate him within six weeks and pay all outstanding salary and benefits for the period he was removed from his post.

The Maldives Correctional Service has now appealed the Civil Court’s ruling at the High Court.