Mawaz convicted of murder after confessing to killing brother
Mawaz relayed that he realised he had stabbed his brother only when his mother came and started beating him.
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By
Fathmath Ahmed Shareef
Criminal Court on Thursday found Hussain Mawaz guilty of killing his own brother by stabbing him with a pair of scissors in Addu, after he confessed at the court in tears.
Since a confessional agreement has been reached with the state, the next hearing will decide on the sentence as per the agreement if Mawaz wants to uphold the agreement.
Ahmed Shuaib, 27, Bluestar/Maradhoofeydhoo, was killed in a fight between two brothers. Shuaib's brother Hussain Mawaz, 25, Bluestar/Maradhoofeydhoo, was arrested on charges of killing him. He is charged with intentional homicide.
Two hearings have been held so far in the case. Mawaz said he wanted to proceed with a lawyer at the previous hearing.
He pleaded guilty at the hearing on Thursday. Therefore, Judge Adam Mohammed ruled that Mawaz was guilty.
At the hearing at 9am, the court heard the charges against Mawaz. He relayed the events of that night, continuously sobbing and said he was remorseful and had repented.
Mawaz told the court:
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While his brother was in a cafe, Mawaz had taken his phone and gone home to use drugs
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When his brother went home and started asking where the phone was, Mawaz had said he had sold it along with the SIM; that led to the fight between the two brothers
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He had attacked Shuaib with a knife; Mawaz was under the influence of alcohol and did not realise the gravity of what he had done
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Mawaz had realised he had stabbed his brother when his mother came and started beating him
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He heard the news of his brother’s death the next day through a friend
Concluding Thursday’s hearing, Judge Adam Mohamed said the sentencing hearing would be held within 10 days.
If the plea agreement with the state is upheld at the next hearing, the basic sentence will be set at 12 years in prison. If he withdraws from the plea agreement, he will be given the opportunity to talk about the punishment and will be sentenced after.
