Case against May 6 suspects to be heard by three-judge bench

Criminal Court. (File Photo/Sun/Fayaz Moosa)

Criminal Court has selected the bench of judges to hear the case against four suspects charged in connection to the assassination attempt on Parliament Speaker, former President Mohamed Nasheed on May 6.

An official from Criminal Court told Sun on Monday afternoon that the case will be heard by a bench of three judges.

Chief judges of courts reserve the option of establishing benches composed of an odd number of judges depending on nature of cases under Judicature Act. The chief judge of Criminal Court is Ahmed Shakeel.

However, the court did not cite a specific provision of the law in composing the bench.

MAY 6 ATTACK

A homemade remote-controlled IED was strapped to motorcycle parked nearby Nasheed’s residence, and was detonated at 08:27 pm on May 6, just as Nasheed, 54, exited his residence and went to get in his car. Nasheed was thrown to the ground and sustained multiple shrapnel wounds, while three members of his security detail and two bystanders sustained minor wounds.

Police have arrested 10 suspects in connection to the case, and requested the Prosecutor General’s Office for charges against 5 suspects.

Charges against four of the suspects were filed on August 3. They are:

Adhuham Ahmed Rasheed, 26, Hiyaa, V. Thinadhoo

Mujaz Ahmed, 21, Ma. Feyruge, K. Male'

Thahmeen Ahmed, 32, Folheyma, GA. Kondey

Ali Haisham, 27, Nooreege, N. Manadhoo

Prosecutor General's Office decided against filing charges against Ahmed Fathih, 23, Dhunfini Ufaa, L. Gan, who was one of the initial arrests made by police in connection to the case, citing lack of sufficient evidence.

Police found evidence suggesting the suspects are ISIS sympathizers, but found no evidence directly linking them with the international terror organization.