A virtual autopsy conducted on Zakiyya's body

A virtual autopsy has been carried out on Zakiyya Moosa, who was found dead in her home in Noonu atoll Holhudhoo.

According to reports, a Police team travelled to India last week to oversee the procedure. However, the results have yet to be made public.

A virtual autopsy uses medical imaging techniques such as CT scans and MRIs to produce a detailed 3D model of the body for forensic analysis.

Zakiyya’s body was discovered on 10 September last year near a storeroom next to her kitchen. While some island residents have accused her husband of involvement, her family has so far remained silent on the matter.

At a press briefing last December, Police Chief Inspector Mohamed Samih said hospital findings pointed to neck injuries as the cause of death. Zakiyya had sustained three deep wounds on the right side of her neck, two on the left, and a shallow cut in the centre.

But many on the island have questioned the narrative, arguing it is unlikely someone would inflict such wounds on themselves. Sporadic protests continue in Holhudhoo as residents call for justice and transparency in the investigation.

In response to public outrage, Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusan and Police Commissioner Ali Shujau visited Holhudhoo last month to meet with residents.

Minister Ihusan admitted that it was a mistake for the police to bury Zakiyya without conducting an autopsy.

Ihusan said that a foreign professional who had conducted multiple autopsies examined the body in Maldives. However, he acknowledged that the decision to forgo an autopsy abroad was not the right one.

"I understand that you [residents] consider him just an ordinary pathologist, but he has conducted many autopsies before and was available in the Maldives for other work. However, I do not believe it was the best decision to leave out an autopsy," Ihusan said.

"If she had been sent for an autopsy that day, we would not be having this conversation now," he added.

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