The High Court today upheld the death sentence of Mohamed Shanoon, who was sentenced to death for the murder of Ali Ziyadam, who was stabbed to death in L. Mundoo.

In 2023, the Criminal Court sentenced Shanoon, of Heenaavila, L. Mundoo, to death for intentional murder, and Ali Sifaam, of Beachvilla, L. Mundoo, to life imprisonment for aiding in the crime, after a group went and attacked Ziyadam, of Noovilu, L. Mundoo, during a brawl in Mundoo in March 2015.

Delivering the judgment during the hearing held to pronounce the decision on the case submitted to the High Court by the state to confirm Shanoon's death sentence, Judge Huzaifa Mohamed stated that evidence proving Shanoon attacked Ziyadam with a sharp object was submitted to the lower court. Judge Huzaifa stated that while witnesses testified to seeing Shanoon attack Ziyadam, evidence also shows that in addition to Ziyadam's blood, Shanoon's blood was also present at the location of the attack.

According to Judge Huzaifa, since Ziyadam was attacked with a sharp object, Shanoon's intent to kill Ziyadam is proven. The judge also stated that all rights due to Shanoon were afforded to him in the lower court. Furthermore, as all heirs of Ziyadam expressed their desire for retribution (qisas), the judge stated there is no legal reason to prevent taking retribution from Shanoon.

Therefore, Judge Huzaifa stated that the panel of three judges unanimously ruled that there is no reason to alter the sentence to execute Shanoon.

The case was heard at the High Court by Judge Huzaifa, along with Judge Hassan Shafeeu and Judge Ibrahim Mahir. The bench was chaired by Judge Huzaifa.

While the High Court upheld the death sentence for Shanoon, the High Court had also previously upheld the Criminal Court's sentence of life imprisonment for Sifaam in this case.

Although the High Court upheld the death sentence for Shanoon, the sentence can only be executed if the Supreme Court upholds the ruling.