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Criminal Court puts Mirza’s killers on death row

Fathmath Shaahunaz
04 April 2017, MVT 17:12
Abdulla Nazeef (R) and Mohamed Shifau, who have been sentenced to death for the murder of Ahmed Mirza Ibrahim. PHOTO: NISHAN ALI/MIHAARU
Fathmath Shaahunaz
04 April 2017, MVT 17:12

The Criminal Court on Tuesday passed capital punishment on two men involved in the murder of Ahmed Mirza Ibrahim six years ago.

Mirza was murdered in a gang violence that took place in the suburb of Villimale in April 2011. The two men sentenced to death are Abdulla Nazeef and Mohamed Shifau while a third man, Ali Rifshan, was acquitted over lack of evidence.

According to the verdict read by Chief Judge Abdul Bari Yoosuf presiding over the case, Nazeef and Shifau were convicted of Mirza’s murder based on witness testimonies and Mirza’s medico-legal report which confirmed that his death was caused by the injuries he sustained in the attack. The verdict further stated that the act of violence took place to exact vengeance.

Highlighting that taking the life of an innocent is a major sin forbidden in Islamic law as well, the judge noted that Mirza’s inheritors, as determined by Islamic jurisprudence, have all vouched in favour of death penalty over his murder. Thus, the verdict read, the two men are sentenced in accordance to the Penal Code in effect at the time of the crime and the Code in effect now.

After the reading, Judge Bari reminded the convicts that they may appeal their sentences. Should they not do so, the state will be mandated to forward the case to the High Court to verify the verdict.

Capital punishment can only be implemented after the completion of the appeal process.

Mirza, who had been preparing for marriage, was attacked with weapons such as wooden clubs and sticks in the gang violence. He passed away while under treatment at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH). According to the hospital, he had been brain dead at the time of arrival.

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