Mahmood's body was tossed inside abandoned house five hours after murder: police

Maldives Police Service (MPS) has revealed that the body of slain entrepreneur in Dhangethi island of Alif Dhaal atoll was thrown into the well he was found in, five hours after he was murdered.

During a press conference to provide updates regarding the murder of Mahmood Aboobakuru, Superintendent of Police Hassan Saeed, Head of Maldives Police Service (MPS)’s Serious and Organized Crime Department, revealed that Shah Alom, 29, had phoned Mahmood on the night of October 13.

Findings indicate that Mahmood had gone to meet Shah after the call, made around five minutes past 9pm that night.

Police do not believe Mahmood and Shah shared a friendship nor any sort of bond.

Further, findings indicate that Mahmood was first attacked inside “Nedhunge” – the suspect’s residence in Dhangethi island – and he was attacked three times in five hours, as per footages uncovered by the police institution in the investigation.

Superintendent Saeed revealed that Alom was spotted walking out of the house with a body thrown over his shoulder, five hours after Mahmood entered the house. He went on to state that Mahmood’s body had visible head injuries as well as order 30 stab wounds, it is believed that the wounds were inflicted with a sharp object.

Some of Mahmood’s belongings were found buried inside the house Alom was residing in. Police assert that they have sufficient evidence to prove the accusations against the Bangladeshi national, including the weapons found inside the suspect’s house.

Revealing that Alom had confessed to murdering Mahmood for money, Superintendent Saeed revealed that officers found 20 notes of MVR 500, which indicates that the murder was planned beforehand.

Highlighting the charges raised against the expatriate, Superintendent Saeed revealed that Alom faces six counts of charges and went on to detail the accusations raised against him under the Act on Prohibiting Threatening and the Possession of Dangerous Weapons and Sharp Objects.

Arrested in the case was Shah Alom, a 29-year-old Bangladeshi native who asserted that no others were involved in the homicide in his confession statement. Police confirmed the expatriate’s arrest on October 16. Police revealed that the suspect has a history of criminal offenses including theft, which the police stationed in Dhangethi island is currently probing.

The Criminal Court had ordered his remand pending the outcome of his trial following Alom’s confession.

During the presser police also confirmed that they will be concluding the investigation into the brutal murder and forwarding for prosecution, next week.

The body of the 57-year-old man was found suspended inside a well, tied up and stuffed inside a sack on October 14. There were to have been visible signs of torture on the body. Dhangethi Council President revealed that Mahmood was a good man and a successful entrepreneur who did not have any issues with anyone.

Mahmood used to supply food staples to the island community and owned a café and boat as well. He was last seen a night before his disappearance and never returned home after going to see the SAFF Championship match. With this, the family had informed the council. The council revealed that the entire island was left staggered by the murder. It is believed that Mahmood was tortured before being murdered.

Mahmood is survived by four children.

The island community had raised accusations against two individuals, native to Thoddoo island in Alif Alif atoll, who was taken into police custody shortly after the murder. However, police did not confirm that their arrest is linked to the murder.

Mahmood’s spouse, Moomina Umar has urged President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to bring the perpetrators in front of justice. The president is to have made a condolences-call to the family, and assured them that the investigation will proceed without interruption. He also gave the family the assurance that the authorities would use all available resources to find the perpetrators.