The Criminal Court has restarted the trial of the acquitted individuals in the stabbing of Ahmed Aruham, who was killed in Lorenzo Park 12 years ago.
Aruham, a 14 year old student from Dharumavantha School, was murdered with a sharp object in June 2012 while he was sleeping in the park, located next to the Islamic University of Maldives (IUM). The police believe the killing was a result of a revenge attack between two groups.
The state initially pressed charges against Mohamed Visaam and Mansoor Yoosuf from Maavah, Laamu Atoll, Mohamed Sufyaan from Gahdhoo, Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, and Athif Rasheed from Malé.
Visaam was found guilty and sentenced to capital punishment, while the remaining three were acquitted. However, the High Court ruled late last year that the three acquitted men should be retried, following an appeal by the prosecution.
The first hearing of the case was held today in the Criminal Court. Only the accused, Athif Rasheed, attended the hearing, as the other two could not be present for various reasons.
Judge Ibrahim Zihunee, who is overseeing the case, gave Athif Rasheed the opportunity to hire a lawyer. The other two men will be given the chance to do so administratively.
High Court had previously criticized the Criminal Court's acquittal, ruling that the lower court had failed to adequately explain its decision, despite the submission of substantial evidence. High Court also noted that it has the authority to refer the case back to the lower court for retrial if it finds that the lower court did not properly consider the matter.
The police had also submitted chargesheets to the Prosecutor General's Office against two other individuals in connection with Aruham's murder, but no charges were brought against them due to lack of evidence.
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