Zakiyya's family rejects virtual autopsy report, seeks court disclosure

The family of Zakiyya Moosa, who was found dead with injuries in N. Holhudhoo in September 2023, has rejected the virtual autopsy report prepared by the Maldives Police Service.

The virtual autopsy, conducted using CT scans and MRI imaging to create a 3D model of Zakiyya's body, was presented to her family on Tuesday. The findings were compiled with input from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), a medical research university in New Delhi.

In a statement signed by Zakiyya’s sister, Shafiyya Moosa, the family stated that they do not accept the report, viewing it as an expert opinion rather than a comprehensive forensic report.

According to the statement, the document provided by the police does not clearly establish whether Zakiyya inflicted the wounds while standing, sitting, or lying down. It also raises concerns about the absence of critical details, including the depth of the injuries and whether a full-body 3D scan was conducted.

The family further noted that the report includes only four photographs from the scene and lacks sufficient clarity to establish the events leading to Zakiyya’s death. As a result, they intend to seek a court order to access further evidence.

The Maldives Police Service has not yet issued an official statement regarding the virtual autopsy or the findings from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which was involved in reviewing the case at the police's request. The FBI has submitted its report to the Maldives Police, but its contents have not been publicly disclosed.

Zakiyya’s body was not subjected to a traditional autopsy. However, it was examined by a pathologist in Malé. Based on that examination, the police previously stated that:

The family continues to question the findings and maintains that further investigation and disclosure are necessary.