Gabbarey, suspect in MP Zareer’s assault, released

Ibrahim Abdulla (Gabbarey), 32, MA. Night Villa, who was arrested as a suspect in the attempted murder of Mathiveri MP Hassan Zareer, has been released from custody on Thursday.

Gabbarey was arrested on May 23^rd after he surrendered to the police a week after the authority sought public assistance to locate him. He was remanded in custody for 30 days subsequently.

The reasons behind Gabbarey’s release remain unclear at the moment. However, in his first remand hearing on arrest, Criminal Court affirmed the police had submitted sufficient evidence against Gabbarey including witness testimonies, CCTV footage snapshots, victim’s medical records, photos and intelligence reports.

Moreover, the court stressed Gabbarey already had a criminal record.

Gabbarey admitted participating in the 2007 murder of Ali Ishar, H. Kunbura, using sharped edged weapons during the investigation process. At that time, he was 16. The state charged him with participation in an intentional murder using a sharp-edged weapon in connection to the case.

In 2010, Juvenile Court found him not guilty of the charge citing lack of evidence. The state appealed Juvenile Court’s judgment to High Court on April 17^th, 2012.

MP Zareer had been at the Habibi Café’ and Bistro in Galolhu district of Male’ City when he was attacked by a group of five men.

The incident took place at around 03:30 am on May 1.

He sustained head injuries in the attack and was hospitalized at the ADK Hospital briefly.

Police have made two other arrests in connection to the attack; a 21-year-old male and a 22-year-old male.