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Mother found guilty of the murder of four-year-old daughter

Malika Shahid
23 May 2022, MVT 12:29
[FILE] Criminal Court rules mother guilty of murder of her 4-year-old daughter -- Photo:Mihaaru
Malika Shahid
23 May 2022, MVT 12:29

Criminal Court has ruled that the mother of a 4-year-old is guilty of stabbing her to death in Shaviyavi Atoll Noomaraa.

Aminath Shahidha, attacked her daughter Shaiha with a sharp object and murdered her in February 2016. Prosecution had charged Shahidha with murder with intent over her daughter’s death. Police alleged that the girl was attacked and killed while she was asleep.

Shahidha’s trial was held behind closed doors. Six years after the murder, Criminal Court, on Sunday, has found her guilty of the murder of her four-year-old daughter.

Criminal Court Chief Judge Ahmed Shakeel who is overseeing the case, will be obtaining the testimonies of heirs and discussions regarding Shahidha's sentence. The hearing will be held next week.

Even if Shahidha is found guilty, she will not face the death penalty under Islamic law. This is because Qisas under Islamic sharia states that parents cannot be given the death penalty for the murder of their children.

Another child of the family was sleeping near Shaiha when she was killed. However, no harm was done to the child. The cause of the murder has not yet been made public by the police. Shahidha's mental state has also been investigated.

This is the second murder of a child in the Maldives since the murder of 3-year-old Mohamed Ibthihaal in Vaavu Atoll Rakeedhoo in 2015. Ibthihaal's mother, Afiya was sentenced to 20 years in prison for his murder.

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