High Court has today commenced hearings of the appeal case submitted by the State against the lower court having acquitted all accused in the murder of Mohamed Anas.
High Court has today commenced hearings of the appeal case submitted by the State against the lower court having acquitted all accused in the murder of Mohamed Anas.
Prosecutors appealed to the court to place all acquitted in custody.
Anas, a speedboat captain originally from Raa atoll Meedhoo, was brutally stabbed to death in July 2017, by a group of eight people in the Litus Service Center in Malé, where he attempted to hide after being chased on the streets by the assailants.
Seven individuals were charged and tried in the Criminal Court in connection with the July 2017 attack on Anas inside the Litus Service Centre.
In this case, the State charged Usman Shareef of M. Dhimishq, Male', Afrah AbdulRazzaq of M. Lonumidhilige, Male', Ahmed Zayan of Asurumaage, Lhaviyani atoll Kurendhoo, Junaih Abdulla of Nannaarige, Laamu atoll Gan Thundi, Hassan Mahfooz of Weston Villa, Addu atoll Feydhoo, Simah Moosa of Male' Register no. 1746, and Mohamed Shaz from Gulfaamuge, Thaa atoll Kinbidhoo.
The Criminal Court acquitted all seven last February, ruling that it could not be determined beyond a reasonable doubt that any of the seven individuals were involved in the crime. The State then appealed this ruling at the High Court.
When High Court started appeal hearings today, some of the accused had not arranged for legal representation. They asked the court to grant them a week to appoint lawyers, which the bench of Judges agreed to.
The Judges stated that this is the last opportunity that will be granted to arrange legal representation, adding that the next hearing will be proceeded even if lawyers are not arranged by then.
The bench of Judges revealed that the State had requested that all the accused be placed in custody. However, as the opportunity to arrange legal representation has been granted, the bench of Judges decided to rule on this after lawyers are arranged.
The bench of Judges consists of Judge Mohamed Shaneez, Chief Judge Hussain Shaheedh and Judge Mohamed Faisal, with Judge Shaneez presiding.
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 last year for the murder of Anas.
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