Court grants conditional release to man charged in Naeema murder

The Criminal Court has granted conditional release to Hassan Fawaz, who is accused of involvement in the murder of Naeema Moosa in N. Manadhoo.

Fawaz, 21, was released from pre-trial detention on Tuesday following a request by the Prosecutor General’s Office, citing his health condition.

The Prosecutor General’s Office said Maldives Correctional Service informed them on the 9th of this month that Fawaz was unable to receive adequate medical treatment while in custody.

The office said it requested the court to grant release as a special measure to protect his constitutional right to life, based on medical advice.

The court granted conditional release after Fawaz agreed to the terms set by the court.

Under the conditions, Fawaz must refrain from committing any offences, attend all court hearings, and remain indoors between 6:00pm and 8:00am except for medical treatment.

He is also required to report daily to the nearest police station between 8:00am and 12:00pm, unless attending medical treatment, and is prohibited from leaving Malé.

The court also ordered that he must not contact or attempt to influence any witnesses in the case and must submit medical records to the Prosecutor General’s Office and the court every 15 days.

Authorities said compliance with the conditions will be monitored by the Maldives Correctional Service and the police. If any condition is breached, steps will be taken to return him to custody.

Fawaz has been in custody since the investigation stage.

He faces charges including intentional murder using a sharp object, obstruction of justice and indecent treatment of a body.

According to the state, Fawaz is accused of planning the killing by convincing two other individuals that the victim practised sorcery and that killing her would not be a sin.

The state alleges that he set the date for the act, provided items used in the crime, transported the accused to the location and remained outside while the act was carried out.

He is also accused of assisting in the destruction of evidence and providing drugs to the individuals involved.

In relation to the obstruction of justice charge, the state alleges that Fawaz assisted in disposing of items used in the crime and later attempted to destroy evidence by discarding a mobile phone.

The indecent treatment of a body charge relates to allegations that instructions were given by phone on how to carry out the act and what to do afterwards, and that the victim’s body was left undiscovered for an extended period.

If convicted of the murder charge, the penalty is death or payment of blood money. If neither is sought by the family, the sentence is life imprisonment.

The obstruction of justice charge carries a prison sentence of one year and seven months, while the charge relating to the treatment of a body carries a sentence of two months and 12 days.