Yameen Rasheed’s murder: Haisham and Zihan found guilty, others acquitted

Combined file photos of (from L-R) Ahmed Zihan Ismail, 22; and Ismail Haisham Rasheed, 21. (Photo/Maldives Police Service)

The Criminal Court has found two men guilty of the brutal murder of blogger Yameen Rasheed, and sentenced them to life imprisonment.

Yameen was stabbed to death in the stairwell of his residence in Male’ City, M. Spatula, on April 23, 2017.

Medical records presented during the trial showed Yameen sustained 30 stab wounds.

Six men were put on trial for his murder; Ismail Haisham Rasheed (H. Annaarumaage, Male’ City), Ahmed Zihan Ismail (M.Iraasmikge, Male’ City), Mohamed Dhifran (Simbadge, G. Dh. Gadhdhoo), Hassan Shifaz (M. Kudhehige, Male’ City), Ismail Rasheed (M. Thaaif, Male’ City), and Hussain Ziyad (M. Kolhufushi East, Male’ City).

Yameen Rasheed: He was stabbed to death on April 23, 2017.

They were charged with murder with intent using a sharp-edged weapon.

Haisham and Zihan were accused of active involvement in the murder, while Ismail Rasheed was accused of transporting them to Yameen’s residence and waiting for them outside as they did the killing.

The Criminal Court issued its ruling in the high-profile case on Wednesday.

The court found Haisham and Zihan guilty of murder, while the other four suspects were acquitted.

YAMEEN RASHEED’S MOTHER REJECTS DEATH PENALTY

Yameen’s mother Mariyam Shafeega was asked if she wanted Qisas – the death penalty – for Haisham and Zihan.

Shafeega said she did not want to implement Qisas, and wanted Diya (financial compensation) instead, which can be used to do something good to honor her son’s memory.

“When he was alive, my son believed the right to life as a basic human right. Therefore, I don’t want Qisas,” she said.

Mariyam Shafeega: Her son, Yameen Rasheed, was stabbed to death on April 23, 2017. (Photo/Raajjemv)

While Yameen’s mother said she didn’t want Qisas, his father, Hussain Rasheed asked for the death penalty.

Hussain said his son’s death had been a pre-planned murder, and that he cannot forgive his son’s killers.

In light of Shafeega’s wishes, the court, in addition to sentencing Haisham and Zihan to life imprisonment, also ordered for them to pay MVR 1.3 million as Diya.