Supreme Court today decided against holding Sammah Ahmed Fathuhy in remand, effectively upholding the High Court's decision.
The Supreme Court of Maldives today ruled against prosecutors as it upheld the decision to not hold Sammah Ahmed Fathuhy, the individual who stands accused in the case of Moosa Ahmed Manik's murder seven years ago, in remand.
Moosa was attacked with a sharp object in Malé City during September of 2017, which resulted in his death. Authorities charged Sammah, who is originally from Alif Dhaalu atoll Maamigili with Moosa's murder.
However, Criminal Court ruled in favour of Sammah, declaring him not guilty. This prompted prosecutors to appeal the case in High Court. During the appeal process, prosecutors requested the court to hold Sammah in remand pending the outcome of the trial. However, High Court decided against doing so.
Prosecution then escalated the question of remand to the Supreme Court, which ruled today that the decision of determining whether an accused individual must be held in remand lies in the hands of the presiding judges. There is no exceptional circumstance warranting an appeal court to intervene in the matter, the superior court further said.
As such, all three judges unanimously ruled that the there is no need for the High Court's ruling on Sammah's remand to be changed.
The case was heard by Judge Husnu Al Suood, Judge Dr. Azmiralda Zahir and Judge Aisha Shujune. The case was presided over by Judge Suood.
This is the second time prosecutors have appealed the High Court's decision to not hold Sammah in remand at the Supreme Court. The first time, Supreme Court ordered the High Court to reevaluate its decision.
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