Ellaidhoo chef’s murder: Interpol help sought to find witnesses

The prosecution has sought Interpol's assistance in finding many of the witnesses in the stabbing death of a cook at a resort in ADh. Ellaidhoo nearly six years ago.

The murder occurred six years ago, on January 10, 2019. 

The accused , 42-year-old Jayalath Kodiarchige Janaka Prasanna Perera, a Sri Lankan employee of the resort, has been charged with the murder of 26-year-old Patham Dilshan de Silva Agampodi, who was a Sri Lankan chef working at the resort.

Earlier, the trial of the case, which was delayed due to various administrative reasons, was started by a new judge. Many of the key witnesses in the case had left Maldives. The prosecution said they did not know where those witnesses were.

When asked about the witnesses, the prosecution said it had requested the assistance of Interpol to find the witnesses late last month.

The judge overseeing the case, frustrated with the drawn-out delays, has given the prosecution an ultimatum.

In the upcoming hearing, which is scheduled for early next month, the judge has demanded that the prosecution provide detailed updates on the whereabouts of the witnesses and clarify their plans for securing their testimonies.

If this is not accomplished, the judge indicated there would be no further extensions granted, placing the case in serious jeopardy.