Suspects in Anas’ murder get two more days to hire legal representation

The Supreme Court gave the suspects in the brutal 2017 murder of Mohamed Anas two more days to hire legal representation on Thursday, as the court hears the appeal filed by the state over the decision by the High Court to have them remain free as it hears the appeal over their acquittal.

Anas, a young boat captain from R. Meedhoo, was stabbed to death inside the Litus Service Center in Male’ on July 31, 2017. Anas had fled into the bike shop after he was chased by eight men on four motorcycles armed with sharp-edged weapons. He sustained 24 stab wounds in the brutal attack.

Eight people were charged in connection to the murder; Junaih Abdulla (Nannaarige, L. Gan), Hassan Mahfooz (Western Villa, S. Feydhoo), Simah Moosa (Dhafthar 1746), Ahmed Zayan (Asurumaage, Lh. Kurendhoo), Usman Shareef (M. Dhimishq, Male’), Afrah Abdul Razzaq (M. Lonumidhilige, Male’), Mohamed Saaz (Gulfaamge, Th. Kinbidhoo), and one more young man whose identity has not been disclosed as he was 17 years old at the time.

Four of them were accused of stabbing Anas; the minor, Ahmed Zayan, Afrah Abdul Razzaq and Usman Shareef. They were charged with murder with intent using a sharp-edged weapon.

The remaining suspects – Mohamed Saaz, Junaih Abdulla, Hassan Mahfooz and Simah Moosa – allegedly drove the motorcycles – and were charged as accomplices to murder with intent using a sharp-edged weapon.

The minor was acquitted by the Juvenile Court in January 2021, but the verdict was overturned upon appeal by the Hight Court in October 2022. In November 2023, the then-President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih used his executive powers to commute his sentence from 18 to 10 years.

Meanwhile, the seven adult suspects were acquitted by the Criminal Court on February 25, 2024, after the court found the evidence insufficient to prove their guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

The Prosecutor General’s Office appealed the ruling with the High Court in May 2024. They also filed a motion to have all seven suspects jailed pending the outcome of the appeal.

However, the court decided on March 10 that the prosecution failed to demonstrate sufficient grounds to hold them in jail during the appeal. This decision was appealed by the Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) with the Supreme Court.

The appeal is being heard by a three-member bench, composed of justices Ali Rasheed Hussain, Aisha Shujoon Mohamed and Dr. Mohamed Ibrahim.

At a hearing on Thursday morning, the suspects were given a chance to make their case.

The first to make a statement, Usman told the court he wishes to proceed with the assistance of a lawyer.

Justice Ali Rasheed told him that all seven suspects were given until April 6 to hire legal representation, and were even given a reminder by the court via phone call.

Usman responded that he had been talking to lawyers, but hadn’t managed to hire one yet.

“This is a case the court needs to finish within 14 days. Therefore, the court cannot give time as with regular cases,” responded Ali Rasheed.

The remaining six suspects who spoke after Usman also asked for more time to hire legal representation.

Ali Rasheed responded that the court has given plenty of time for them to hire lawyers. He instructed them to hire legal representation by 09:00 am Sunday.

Justice Shujoon concurred with the decision.

“You have already been given the chance to hire legal representation. I know that until Sunday morning is a very short timeframe, but we cannot give any more time. This is the reality,” she said.

Before adjourning the hearing, Ali Rasheed announced that the next hearing in the case will be held at 09:00 am Sunday.

The police investigation into the murder uncovered that Anas, who worked as a boat captain, had not been the intended target for the killing, but that the assailants mistook Anas for their target – a rival gang member - because he had been wearing similar clothing.