Closed-door hearings as High Court weighs labelling Addu’s ‘Scoop’ as a gang

The High Court has decided to bar public assess to hearings as it considers a petition from the state to formally designate ‘Scoop’, a group in Addu City, as an organized criminal gang.

The Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) had filed the petition in mid-last year, marking the first time for the state to seek to formally designate a criminal gang under new anti-gang laws.

The case is being heard by a three-member bench composed of judges Mohamed Shaneez Abdulla, Abdul Maniu Hussain and Hussain Ibrahim Mahir.

The decision to holds closed-door hearings in the case was decided during a preliminary hearing on Monday night.

While the exact reason for the decision is unclear, some of the exceptional circumstances where closed-door hearings are allowed include situations that require maintaining disciplinary standards, national safety and security, and avoiding obstruction of justice.

‘Scoop’, also known as ‘Scoop Kanmathi’ or ‘SKP’, is based in Hithadhoo.

The PGO has asked the court to designate ‘Scoop’ as a gang, and nine individuals as members of the gang. The office has also asked the court to order the Sports Commission to disband SKP Sports Club – a sports club affiliated with the group – and order the Addu City Council to remove all gang-related signage from the city.