HC overturns lower court's verdict to find minor charged in Anas’ murder guilty

High Court, on Tuesday, found the minor charged with the murder of Mohamed Anas in 2017 guilty, after Juvenile Court acquitted the minor of the charges.  

Anas, from Fenfiyaazuge, R. Meedhoo was murdered in 2017, after a group of eight on four motorcycles chased him into the Litus Service Center, and attacked him with sharp objects. Medical examiners stated that Anas was stabbed 24 times by his attackers inside the center. 

Juvenile Court ruled the minor charged in connection to his murder not guilty on January 3, 2021.

High Court overturned Juvenile Court’s verdict, finding the minor guilty of the murder on Tuesday; a decision unanimously agreed by the three-judge panel that reviewed appeal from Prosecutor General’s Office (PG office). However, the judgment has not been publicly released, as at the time of the crime, the accused was underage. Maldivian law prohibits identity disclosure of minors involved in criminal cases.

Seven adults have also been charged in connection to the case; Ahmed Zayan, from Asurumaage, Lh. Kurendhoo; Usman Shareef from M. Dhimishgu; Afrah Abdul Razzaq from M. Lonumidhilige; Junaih Abdullah from Nannaarige, L. Gan; Hassan Mahfooz from Vestonvilla, S. Feydhoo; Simah Moosa, Dhafthar 1746 and Mohamed Saaz, from Gulfaamge, Th. Kinbidhoo.

Their trials are presently ongoing at the Criminal Court.