Eid-day assault: concerns over delay in moving suspects to a remand facility

A hearing in the trial of the suspects arrested and charged in connection with the assault that took place on the day of Eid-al-Fitr, has been held.

This is the second hearing of the case.

Charges have been pressed against six suspects, in connection with the Eid-day gang violence.

All of the suspects are currently remanded in police custody, pending the outcome of their trial.

Presiding over the case at the Criminal Court, is Judge Sofwath Habeeb.

The first hearing of the case was held on August 10. During the hearing, the presiding judge detailed the rights of the suspects as mandated under the law and criminal procedure act.

The six individuals arrested in connection with the case include Ahmed Sathiu, Mausoom, Ahmed Shimhaz, 22 and native to Thimarafushi island of Thaa atoll, 18-year-old Looth Ahmed Asif native to Malé City, Gaaf Dhaal Vaadhoo island native Hassan Ziyan, 18 and Ahmed Nazih, 27, native to Gemanafushi island in Gaaf Alif atoll.

As such, Looth, Mausoom and Sathiu have been charged with assaulting someone with a sharp object.

Further, Ziyan, Shimhaz and Nazih have been charged with involvement in an attempt to assault someone with a sharp object that could inflict injuries.

Should the charges be proven against the first three suspects, they stand to face a prison sentence of 10 – 15 years.

Suspects charged with involvement in the assault stand to face a 7 – 10-year prison sentence if the charges against them are proven.

Wednesday’s hearing was supposed to see the suspects answering to the charges raised against them.

However, due to a delay in the state prosecutors submitting the required documents in connection with the case, the defendants were unable to answer to the charges raised against them.

A decision linked to the state’s request to protect evidence in connection with the case, was also reached at the hearing. The judges’ bench decided to issue an order to protect evidence, as requested by the state.

In the last hearing in connection with the case, defendants had voiced concern over the delay in moving the suspects to a remand facility at the hearing.

The state prosecutors responded by saying that they will look into the matter.

However, the issue was raised again at Wednesday’s hearing as it remained overlooked.

State prosecutors responded by saying that they had even sent a letter to the Maldives Correctional Service (MCS) in connection with the issue.

The gang violence took place at the Majeedhee Magu and Janavaree Magu intersection in the congested capital Malé City on the morning of May 2.

Police initially launched a search operation for seven individuals in connection with the assault.

One of the suspects include a minor below 15 years of age.

All of the arrested suspects except the minor, have been remanded for the period of the investigation and trial. The minor has been remanded for seven days, upon being presented to his remand hearing for the fourth time.

Minors under 18 years, have been identified victims of the Eid-day gang violence.