Family requests PG Shameem to lead Yaamin's murder case

The family of murdered blogger Yaamin Rasheed has requested Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem himself to lead the case on behalf of the prosecution in the Criminal Court case.

Yaamin was murdered on April 23, 2017, after returning home from work. He was murdered inside M. Spatula, his residence where he was attacked by a group of people with sharp objects. Yaamin's body was discovered near the stairwell of the house. The Presidential Commission of Deaths and Disappearances (DDCOM) has determined that Yaamin was murdered by a group of extremists due to religious indifferences. Six people are charged with the murder. 

The Association for Democracy, an organization formed in remembrance of Yaamin and murdered journalist Ahmed Rilwan Abdulla issued a statement today which read that there were issues regarding a fair transparent trial in the case which had led the organization to request certain things from the PG Office. 

The organization led by the families of the victims said that it had requested PG Shameem to lead the case and that one of the reasons that hindered the case of Rilwan from attaining justice was the negligence of the state prosecution. A sufficient effort was not observed from the state in Yaamin's case as well, read the statement. 

The family also requested more members of the public be permitted inside the hearings to ensure a fair and transparent trial. 

After a prolonged period, a hearing in the case was held yesterday where abuse complaints and torture allegations were made by the defendants against the police. The majority of the hearing was spent on these issues. 

Judge Adam Mohamed presides over the Criminal Court hearing. Current Supreme Court Justice Ali Rasheed had presided over the case before his appointment to the top court. Before Justice Ali Rasheed, another judge had presided over the case. 

A video of the attack on Yaamin was also shown at yesterday’s hearing. 

Those charged with the murder are Ismail Haisham Rasheed from H. Annaarumaage, Male’ City, Hussain Ziyad from M. Kolhufushi East, Male’ City, Ahmed Zihan Ismail from M.Iraasmikge, Male’ City, Mohamed Dhifran from Simbadge, G. Dh. Gadhdhoo, Hassan Shifaz from M. Kudhehige, Male’ City, and Ismail Rasheed from M. Thaaif, Male’ City.

Zihan and Haisham are accused of attacking and murdering Yaamin while the remaining are charged with being accessories and planning the murder.