The High Court has issued sentences on the suspects linked to the murder of Ahsan Basheer, native to Hithadhoo island in Seenu atoll.

The High Court sentenced Hassan Shimaz Mohamed to 15 years in prison and slapped Ibrahim Shahum Adam with a death sentence, after overturning the decision by the Criminal Court to clear all charges in the murder of Ahsan in 2011.

During previous hearings, the state asserted that Shahum must be sentenced to death as per the act on threatening individuals and the prohibition of possession of sharp weapons which is being acted upon now. The state revealed that at the time of the stabbing that killed Ahsan, the government was following the then-constitution which has since been outdated.

Presiding judge had revealed that the same sentence cannot be issued on Shimaz, who is charged with being an accomplice. With this, the state prosecutors requested to issue a prison sentence of 17 years and six months on Shimaz.

During Tuesday’s hearing, the presiding judges issued their verdict.

Recently, the High Court had ruled that the suspects were guilty of the charges raised against them, after the initial decision to acquit the suspects in 2014, was appealed.

The suspects were proven guilty of all charges on the dying declaration basis. Shahum is charged with intentional murder, with Shimaz being charged for being an accomplice to murder.

Ahsan is to have named Shimaz and Shahum on his death bed.