Court to issue verdict in Nadheem’s murder trial on March 31

The Criminal Court has concluded hearings in the 2017 murder of Nadheem Abdul Raheem (Nadey), and is braced to issue its verdict on March 31.

Nadheem, 24, HA. Thakandhoo, died from injuries he sustained after he was stabbed while inside the Terminal Café in Male’ City on July 27, 2017.

Five people were charged in connection to his murder; four adults and a minor.

Mohamed Mafaz Hussain Saleem, G. Shaaraaz, Male’ City was charged with murder using a sharp-edged weapon, while Ali Nifaz, Vidhaathari, L. Gan; Hussain Shamin, Samantha, R. Innamaadhoo; Mohamed Karam Suhail, Havaas, GA. Gemanafushi; and a minor were charged as accomplices.

The prosecution and defense presented their closing arguments at the Criminal Court on Tuesday.

After hearing the closing arguments, Judge Hussain Faiz Rashad said that though he was concluding the trial, he would call an additional hearing if necessary during deliberations.

Judge Faiz said that he would issue his verdict on March 31, and ordered for the suspects to remain jailed until he issues his verdict.

The prosecution argued in their closing statement that both Mafaz and Nifaz were seen inside Terminal Café with a knife, and that two witnesses testified to seeing Mafaz stabbing Nadheem with a knife.

State witnesses testified that they were certain that the two masked men with the knife were Mafaz and Nifaz because their masks had slipped, allowing them to see their faces.

Prosecution also presented CCTV footage which showed Mafaz, Shamin and the minor involved in the case together in Male’ City the day of the attack, along with CCTV footage showing the defendants leave Terminal Café in motorcycles after the attack.

Nadheem had died from injuries he sustained in the attack while under treatment at the ICU of ADK Hospital on July 29, 2017.