Ex-MP Eesa acquitted in domestic abuse case

Former Kendhikulhudhoo MP Ahmed Eesa has been found not guilty in a domestic abuse case lodged with the Criminal Court by Maldives Police Service

The state charged Eesa with domestic abuse following a testimony by his former wife Asra Naseem, who accused him of abusing her and their son. However, Asra later refused to sign the testimony document and requested police that she no longer wished to pursue the case.

Despite Asra's request, Maldives Police Service continued investigating the case, and escalated the case to court with CCTV footage. They submitted Asra's name as a witness as well. However, Asra did not testify despite multiple attempts to present her in court.

The Criminal Court ruled that the police's process in taking Asra's statement was not clear. While Asra gave two statements, she refused to sign the second statement. However, the court said both statement's had Asra's signature on them.

Because of this, the court questioned whether the signature and fingerprint on the statements prosecutors submitted truly belonged to Asra. With no audio recording of the second statement submitted to court, it was not determined whether the signature and fingerprint was her's, the court ruled.

The verdict said:

- It is questionable that Asra gave a statement claiming Eesa abused her

- It was unclear whether Asra's account of events, which she shared with several others, was true

- Some witnesses, including Asra Naseem, did not want to testify in the case.

Due to these circumstances, the Criminal Court ruled that the charge of inflicting harm raised against Eesa by the state was not proven.

At the time when the case first came to light, many called for Eesa's resignation. He also resigned from the social committee of the parliament shortly after.