Seven accused of attack on ex-PG Shameem acquitted

The seven individuals accused of attacking former Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem with a hammer have been found not guilty by the Criminal Court.

Shameem was attacked with a hammer in February last year outside his residence after having been followed. There was CCTV footage of the attack as well.

The seven charged with the attack were:

1. Midhhath Adam, Riveli, R. Alifushi

2. Mohamed Jazlan, Javaahiru Villa, Thundi, L. Gan

3. Zayan Naseer, Kemihiya, ADh. Maamigili

4. Abaan Abdul Hannaan, Ruvaa, Th. Dhiyamigili

5. Rajvan Latheef, Murin'gi, L. Maamendhoo

6. Ahmed Maisan Hashim, Male' Register no. 2247

7. Shamaal Hussain, Musthareege, Th. Gaadhiffushi

The seven were accused of attempted murder with a dangerous weapon.

The trial began in September last year, with Shameem, too, giving a statement in court.

Criminal Court ruled on Monday last week that all seven are acquitted. The main reason for this cited by the court is inconsistencies in the time stamps on the CCTV footage and the time the attack is said to have occurred.

The ruling said as the time stamp on the footage is different, it must be considered that their is a break in sequence of the footage. Judge Ibrahim Ihusan said that the State must have explained to the court why there is a difference in the time stamps on the various footage submitted and the time the attack occurred.

No questions regarding the time stamps were asked during the trial, but the Judge said in the ruling that the discrepancy created doubt in the credibility of the main evidence submitted.

The ruling further said that in the absence of additional evidence, the seven cannot be found based on this evidence alone, considering the inconsistencies.

Midhhath was charged with attacking Shameem, while Jazlan was charged with taking Midhhath to the scene of the attack on a motorcycle. Maisan is charged with providing a motorcycle to be used to commit the attack.

The remaining four were charged with participating in the planning of the attack, and of being at the scene of the crime in a car and then leaving the scene.