State appeals ruling not to remand accused in Anas murder
The victim’s family has raised concerns over the release of all other accused individuals after six years.
The Prosecutor General’s Office has filed an appeal at the Supreme Court challenging a High Court decision not to remand the seven individuals acquitted in connection with the 2017 killing of Mohamed Anas.
Anas, from Fenfiaazge, R. Meedhoo, was killed on 31 July 2017 inside the Litus Service Centre in Malé. According to investigators, Anas was mistaken for another individual.
Seven individuals were charged in the case, categorised under two charges:
Charged with intentional homicide:
-
Afrah Abdul Razzaq
-
Ahmed Zayan
-
Usman Shareef
Charged with participation in intentional homicide:
-
Junaih Abdulla
-
Hassan Mahfouz
-
Simah Moosa
-
Mohamed Shaz
On 25 February 2024, nearly six years after the incident, the Criminal Court acquitted all seven. The prosecution appealed the verdict on 16 May 2024 and requested that the accused be remanded in custody pending the appeal.
However, the High Court decided against remanding them. The Prosecutor General’s Office appealed the High Court’s decision to the Supreme Court on Saturday. The Supreme Court has since held a hearing in the case.
In its ruling, the High Court stated that a person may be remanded during an appeal under three conditions:
-
1-
The appeal is likely to succeed;
-
2-
There is potential loss of substantial community interest;
-
3-
There is a risk that the appellant may flee.
One individual who was a minor at the time of the incident was convicted and sentenced. Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih later commuted that sentence.
The victim’s family has raised concerns over the release of all other accused individuals after six years.
