Criminal court issues death sentence to Hamdhoon for murder of Aagil

The Criminal Court has issued a death sentence against Hamdhoon Hamzath, who was charged with the murder of 19-year-old Ibrahim Aagil near the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) building.

Aagil, from Gdh. Faresmathodaa, was fatally stabbed on August 31, 2018. The attack occurred immediately after he disembarked at Jetty No. 1 from a launch that had arrived from V. Felidhoo.The state had charged two individuals with premeditated murder using a sharp object:

A third individual, Ibrahim Visham, Snowboard, Ha. Dhidhdhoo, was charged with aiding and abetting the murder.

The Criminal Court concluded the trial and issued the verdict yesterday. Presiding Judge Ali Adam determined that it was proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Hamdhoon Hamzath attacked and murdered Aagil. The charges against the other two defendants were not proven and they were acquitted.

The verdict stated that video evidence showed Hamdhoon running after Aagil with a knife, and there was no reasonable doubt about this fact. Furthermore, the attack was directed specifically at Aagil's chest, leading the court to conclude the attack was aimed at killing him.

"As the chest is a delicate organ of the body, and it is known that if a knife strike is aimed there, a person may die," the verdict stated.

Evidence also showed that Hamdhoon quickly attempted to leave the area after the attack. It was proven that Aagil died due to the injuries sustained from the attack.

In court, Aagil's mother and father requested the implementation of Qisas, or the death penalty.

Based on the evidence and the request of the heirs, the court convicted Hamdhoon Hamzath of premeditated murder. Judge Ali Adam sentenced him to death under the Law on Intimidation and Carrying Dangerous Weapons and Sharp Objects.

"As punishment for the crime of premeditated murder proven against Hamdhoon Hamzath, the relevant state authorities are hereby instructed to execute Hamdhoon Hamzath in a manner that does not violate the principles of Islamic Sharia, thereby concluding this case," the Judge ruled.

A death penalty can only be carried out after the Supreme Court confirms the sentence as final.

The murder of Aagil was followed two months later by the killing of 14-year-old Ismail Shaffaan near an auto garage in Malé. Police have indicated that both murders were carried out as part of a series of retaliatory gang attacks in Malé.