Zakiyya's death: Police prosecution for negligence in probe under discussion

The National Integrity Commission (NIC) is addressing the possibility of legal action against the police, believing them to have been negligent in their investigation of Zakiyya Moosa's death. Zakiyya's body was discovered with severe injuries in N. Holhudhoo 11 months ago.

The NIC's allegations against the police regarding Zakiyya's investigation include inappropriate conduct in the performance of official duties, abuse of official status, obstruction of justice, and obstruction of the administration of law and functioning of the state.

The NIC filed the case with the Duty Prosecution on Thursday.

When contacted by Sun, Public Prosecutor and Prosecutor General's Office media officer Ahmed Shafeeu stated that the case was being discussed with the duty prosecution. He added that a decision would be made to prosecute if sufficient existing evidence is found.

"The case is currently being studied. We are also serious about prosecution as it is a serious case. I have stated that if there is evidence, we will proceed with the same charge," he said.

Zakiyya was found dead on September 10, 2024.

This past Ramadan, Home Minister Ali Ihusaan and a team of police officials visited Holhudhoo. The family stated that the police met with them during the trip, where they assured that autopsies would be conducted in all suspicious deaths following Zakiyya’s.

However, the family noted that this had been the protocol followed even prior to Zakiyya’s death, adding this was written in a regulation publicized by the National Standard for Forensic Medical Services in the Maldives last year.

The family attributed the decision to forgo an autopsy in Zakiyya’s case while the regulations already dictated otherwise as something done on purpose to destroy evidence.

United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has assisted Police in the investigation into Zakiyya’s death. However, the Police have not disclosed much details regarding their investigation.

Regarding these concerns, Ihusaan had earlier stated that a foreign doctor who had conducted numerous autopsies had examined Zakiyya's body. Ihusaan, however, expressed his belief that it was not the right course of action to release a deceased body without conducting an autopsy.

Last July, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu also visited Holhudhoo and met with Zakiyya's family. At the meeting, Zakiyya’s family requested the President conduct a full investigation into her death and do everything possible to bring justice.

Zakiyya's brother, Hassan Waheed, who attended the meeting, told Sun that he had expressed to the President his feeling that the government was not listening to the family's concerns. He also noted that several questions had been raised about the case, but they had not received any response from the authorities concerned.

"We demanded a thorough investigation, and we do not believe Zakiyya was a suicide victim. The fact that no one has been arrested to date means the murderer is roaming free within society. That is our main concern," he said.

He also mentioned sharing his concerns with the President regarding the arrest and court cases of some individuals who were protesting for justice for Zakiyya.

The President promised a full investigation into the incident and pledged to ensure justice.