Criminal Court has fined two individuals for hijacking a launch traveling from Makunudhoo to Kulhudhuffushi.

Mohamed Naif, Unimaage, HDh. Kulhudhuffushi and Mohamed Yasir, Gul'alaage were fined on Tuesday for hijacking a launch on 3 November 2010 around 1620hrs. The two individuals had threatened the launch captain Ahmed Hassan, Bageechaage and crew member Jaufar Mohamed, Partyge - both from Kulhudhuffushi - and steered the launch to HDh. Vaikaradhoo.

Yasir and Naif were initially charged with terrorism. However, since the Terrorism Act has been resolved, the two men were charged under Clause 140 of the Penal Code.

The two men had confessed to the hijacking at court.

Although the crime carries a sentence of four months and 24 days, based on their confession and taking into account the period they spent in remand, Criminal Court opted to fine them.

As such, Naif was fined MVR 12,600 and Yasir was fined MVR 9,600 to be paid to MIRA within three months.