Ziyadham’s heirs ask for death penalty

Mohamed Shanoon (R) and Ali Sifam (L).

The heirs of a man from L. Mundoo who was stabbed to death back in 2015 asked the Criminal Court on Sunday for the death penalty against the man convicted in his murder.

Ali Ziyadham, Noovilu, L. Mundoo, was fatally stabbed in Mundoo at around 10:30 pm on March 20, 2015.

Two people were charged with his murder. They are:

Mohamed Shanoon, Heena Villa, L. Mundoo
Ali Sifam, Beach Villa, L. Mundoo

Both are charged with murder with intent using a sharp-edged weapon.

The court delivered its verdict on December 18, 2022.

While Shanoon was found guilty of the charge of murder, the court found the evidence was insufficient to prove the case against Sifam.

However, Sifam was found guilty of being an accomplice in the murder, under Article 87 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which states that though a defendant may be found not guilty of the charge he is pressed with, he may be convicted of another charge if there is sufficient evidence.

Combined file photos of Mohamed Shanoon (L) and Ali Sifam (R).

A hearing was held Sunday to hear the wishes of Ziyadham’s heirs before the court issues its sentence against Shanoon.

The court heard the wishes of nine people, including Ziyadham’s father. All nine asked for the death penalty.

Meanwhile, Ziyadham’s mother, who is no longer alive, had also said she wanted the death penalty in her statement to the police.

At the trial, witnesses testified that Ziyadham, Shanoon and Sifam had been close friends, and that the incident that led to Ziyadham’s death had taken place while all three had been drinking.

Ziyadham made a comment about Sifam's younger sibling, which led to a verbal dispute between the two, which then escalated into violence.

Witnesses testified that Shanoon had gotten between the two and attacked Ziyadham with a knife.

Shanoon chased Ziyadham to the kitchen of a neighboring residence, where he, aided by Sifam, attacked Ziyadham again, according to witnesses.

According to doctors, Ziyadham was already deceased when taken to the Mundoo Health Center. He sustained deep stab wounds to his head, back and thighs.