Zareer asks for his assailant, Gabbarey’s release; calls him ‘close friend’

Mathiveri MP Hassan Zareer has called on authorities to release Ibrahim Abdulla (Gabbarey), who is jailed pending the outcome of trial for the attempted murder of the lawmaker.

In a post on X, former Twitter, on early Wednesday, Zameer called on the police to release Gabbarey, who he described as “a close friend.”

He accompanied the call with a picture of the two together.

Zareer confirmed to Sun that he wrote the post, but declined to make any further comment.

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.

Zareer sustained head injuries in the attack, and was hospitalized at the ADK Hospital.

32-year-old Gabbarey was arrested in the case on May 23, after he surrendered to the police, a week after the authority sought public assistance to locate him.

He was initially remanded in custody of the police for 30 days.

However, the Criminal Court released him, along with two other suspects arrested in the case - a 21-year-old male and a 22-year-old male - on July 6.

His released was appealed by the state with the High Court, which found the Criminal Court’s decision unlawful.

The Criminal Court was ordered to review of their remand.

And on August 18, Gabbarey was re-arrested, and the Criminal Court ordered him to jail pending the outcome of his trial.

The court cited the evidence submitted by the police against Gabbarey, including witness testimonies, CCTV footage snapshots, victim’s medical records, photos, and intelligence reports.

The court also cited his prior criminal record for gang-related violence.

Gabbarey was 16 when he admitted to involvement in the murder of Ali Ishar (Choatey) in 2007 – a killing that sparked a series of gang attacks in Male’.

He was acquitted by the Juvenile Court in 2010, citing lack of evidence.