Prosecution again appeals Anas murder ruling to Supreme Court

The prosecution has once more appealed to the Supreme Court following High Court's decision not to detain the suspects charged in the 2017 murder of Mohamed Anas, who was killed in Male' by a group of men.

Seven individuals have been charged in connection with the attack on Anas, which occurred inside the Litus Service Centre in July 2017. Among them, Ahmed Zayan from Lhaviyani Kurendhoo, Asurumaage, Afrah Abdul Razzaq from Male', Maafannu Lonumidhilige, and Usman Shareef from Male', Maafannu Dhimishq have been charged with intentional homicide.

Four others including Junaih Abdulla from Laamu Gan, Thundi, Nannaarige, Simah Moosa from Male', Dhaftharu registry 1746, Hassan Mahfooz from Addu City Feydhoo, Westonvilla, and Mohamed Shaaz from Thaa Kinbidhoo, Gulfaamge were charged with participating in the murder.

Seven years after Anas' death, the Criminal Court acquitted all seven, citing insufficient evidence.

The State then appealed the case at the High Court, asking for the seven to be held in remand in custody until the end of trial. However, High Court earlier ruled against holding them in custody. Therefore, the prosecution appealed the case in Supreme Court.

High Court last Monday ruled that there was no legal basis to keep the accused in custody until the end of trial. In its decision, the court stated that the State had failed to present sufficient justification for detaining the seven individuals pending trial.

The prosecution has once again appealed the High Court's decision to the Supreme Court, seeking to overturn the earlier ruling and place the accused individuals in custody. The first hearing of the case was held at the Supreme Court today, where the prosecution argued that the High Court’s decision should be quashed. It submitted separate documents to the court indicating that the seven individuals posed a threat to public safety.

During the hearing, the defendants had responded to the prosecution. Two of them stated they had nothing to say regarding the case. Three requested time to appoint legal counsel, while another defendant asked for additional time to review the submitted documents. As a result, the court decided to schedule a follow-up hearing to allow the defendants to respond to the charges.

In addition to these seven individuals, a minor was also charged in connection with Anas' murder. The minor was sentenced to 18 years in prison by the High Court for the murder of Anas, which has since been commuted during the administration of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.