The Criminal Court has convicted three people in a case involving an alleged plot by an extremist cell supporting ISIS to carry out a terrorist attack in the Maldives.

The State had filed seven charges against eight individuals. The court convicted Abdulla Imad, Ali Muneez and Ali Arham Mohamed, as well as Ibrahim Looth on a separate charge.

Imad and Arham were sentenced to three years in prison, while Muneez was sentenced to one year, nine months and one day for supporting a terrorist organisation.

Arham was also sentenced to five years in prison for attempting to travel abroad to participate in fighting. Imad and Looth were each sentenced to one year, seven months and six days for obstructing the course of justice.

The court acquitted the defendants of several other charges, citing concerns over the integrity of data extracted from a mobile phone submitted as evidence.

The case was filed at the Criminal Court on 8 February 2021, with hearings concluding in January this year. Final submissions were completed in April, and the sentencing hearing was held at 8:15am today.