The Prosecutor General's Office will appeal the acquittals of all the accused individuals at the High Court of the Maldives. They are currently in the process of preparing an appeal.
The Prosecutor General’s Office has decided to appeal against the Criminal Court’s decision to acquit the accused in the murder of Mohamed Anas. Anas was attacked and murdered by a gang in the Maldives.
Today, the office stated their decision to appeal the case and said that they were in the process of preparing an appeal. They also said that they would file the case in the High Court very soon.
Seven people were charged in the Criminal Court in connection with the July 2017 fatal attack on Anas inside the Litus Service Centre in Male’.
The charge of intentional homicide was filed against the following:
- Ahmed Zayan from Lhaviyani Kurendhoo, ‘Asurumaage’
- Abdul Razzaq from ‘M.Lonumidhilige’
- Usman Shareef from ‘M.Dhimushge’
Charged with participation in intentional homicide were the following:
- Junaih Abdulla from Laamu Gan, ‘Nannaarige’
- Simah Moosa, Male' Registry No. 1746
- Hassan Mahfooz from Seenu Feydhoo ‘Vestonvilla’
- Mohamed Shaz from Thaa Kinbidhoo.
Seven years after Anas’ murder, based on the evidence presented by the prosecution, the court ruled that it could not be proven beyond reasonable doubt that the seven individuals were involved in the crime.
Judge Ali Nadeem ruled that neither the CCTV footage nor the police intelligence reports submitted provided sufficient evidence to prove their guilt. He also further said that the chain of custody of the footage was incomplete.
The court further noted that no other compelling evidence was provided to support the case against the accused seven men. The testimony of witnesses, anonymous witnesses and experts did not prove that the seven individuals committed the crime.
As per the verdict, the call record, investigation report and intelligence report entered as evidence cannot be considered credible. The ruling also stated that the reports cannot be used to establish the accused’s guilt and as the police themselves prepared the call record, it cannot be considered evidence.
Apart from the accused seven, a minor was also charged in relation to Anas’ murder. Last year, the High Court sentenced the minor to 18 years in prison.
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