Hammer attack: Court slaps 10 day remand

The man arrested for hitting a person on the head with the hammer near Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital was given a 10 day remand by Criminal Court.

Hussain Areesh, 31, originally from Fuvahmulah, was arrested on Thursday morning after he was denied entry to Malaysia and returned to Velana International Airport on another flight.

Police said Areesh left while he had an active arrest warrant against him.

He is charged with conspiracy to commit assault with a group using sharp and dangerous weapons.

Areesh told the court that even though he was previously involved in crime, he had not been involved in any criminal activities for five years, and that he was living life with his family.

He also asked the court to grant him relief in custody, promising he would cooperate.

Police told the court that Areesh was the main suspect in the fight. They also accused him of being involved in fights since October last year, and told the court he posed a significant threat to members of society because he had used sharp objects in previous assaults.

Police revealed that Areesh had 26 records of drug and assault related matters:

- 15 records of assault

- 6 drug records

- 3 records of damage to people's property

- 2 records of possession of sharp weapons

Police said that Areesh, who is allegedly the leader of a gang in Maafannu, is a dangerous criminal.