Two acquitted in Anas murder nabbed in new case

Two men who were acquitted in the murder case of Mohammed Anas, who was stabbed to death six years ago in Male, have been arrested in another case.

Deputy Police Commissioner Ismail Naveen announced this at a press conference held at the Home Ministry on Tuesday. He said the appeal was being delayed due to the lag of the report on the verdict.

Meanwhile, among those arrested with drugs and a large amount of liquor during a stop and search of a speedboat on Monday evening was a man who was recently released after being acquitted of Anas’ murder, he said.

"Therefore, we have highlighted our concern [that those accused of being involved in Anas's death are acquitted]. And last night we took into custody a person who committed the crime," Naveen said.

He said he would hold a press conference on Sunday to announce the details of the case.

Mohamed Anas, Fenfiyazge/R. Meedhoo was brutally murdered on July 31, 2017. Eight people were charged in the case, of whom only one was convicted; a minor, who was under 18 at the time. President Ibrahim Mohammed Solih pardoned his prison sentence in the last government.

The seven others involved in the case were acquitted by the Criminal Court last month and have now been released, six years after Anas' death.

Judge Ali Nadeem, who heard the case in the Criminal Court, said the evidence submitted by the police to prove the charges did not prove beyond reasonable doubt that they were involved in the crime.