The Criminal Court ruled that, in light of the evidence presented by the prosecution, it could not be determined beyond a reasonable doubt that the seven men were involved in the crime.
The Criminal Court yesterday acquitted all accused in the murder of Mohamed Anas, a speedboat captain, who was attacked and killed by a group in Male' City.
The verdict was delivered 10 months after the conclusion of the hearings.
Seven individuals were charged in connection with the July 2017 attack on Anas inside the Litus Service Centre.
Charges of intentional homicide were filed against Usman Shareef of Male', Afrah AbdulRazzaq of Male', and Ahmed Zayan of Lhaviyani atoll Kurendhoo in connection with the case.
Junaih Abdulla of Laamu atoll Gan island, Hassan Mahfood of Addu atoll Feydhoo, Simah Moosa of Male', and Mohamed Shaz from Thaa atoll Kinbidhoo were indicted as accomplices in the crime.
Seven years after Anas was murdered, the court ruled that, considering the evidence presented by the prosecution, it could not be determined beyond a reasonable doubt that any of the seven individuals were involved in the crime.
The ruling stated that the CCTV footage and the police intelligence report in the case did not provide sufficient evidence to prove the guilt of the accused. The chain of custody of the footage was also deemed incomplete.
The photos and videos submitted showed no additional evidence to support the case against the seven accused.
The testimony of witnesses, secret witnesses and expert testimonies failed to establish that the seven men committed the crime.
The judgment highlighted that the call record, investigation report, and intelligence report submitted as evidence could not be given weight. The call records could not be considered as evidence since they were prepared by the police.
Seven people, as well as a minor, were charged in connection with Anas' murder. The minor was sentenced to 18 years in prison by the High Court last year for the murder of Anas.
The Prosecutor General's Office announced today that it intends to appeal the Criminal Court's acquittal of all the accused in the murder of Mohamed Anas at the High Court.
"We are considering appealing [the verdict]. We have not yet received the report on the outcome of the trial. After receiving the report, we will study it and make a final decision very soon," stated the PG Office in a statement.
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