Ziyadham's murder: hearing to take statement of family to be held next

A hearing has been held to consider the closest kin of Ali Ziyadham, native to Mundoo island of Laamu atoll, who was murdered on March 20, 2015.

The hearing was held at the Criminal Court on Monday morning.

Ali Ziyadham was killed after being attacked with a sharp object in Mundoo. Charges were raised against two people over the murder.

Mohamed Shanoon and Ali Sifam, are both charged with first degree murder.

As per the charge, both suspects is reported to have stabbed Ziyadham with an eight-inch sharp object, while he was passing by the island’s temporary shelter. While the victim attempted to flee from his attackers, Shanoon and Sifam are reported to have chased him and attacked him, ultimately killing him.

In addition to the first-degree murder charge, Shanoon was also charged with issuing threats and violence; he is also accused of attacking one of the people who carried Ziyadham to the hospital, as well as threatening an individual near the hospital.

In reference to the evidence brought to the court by the government prosecutors, Ziyadham, Sifaam and Shanoon used to hangout together. On the night the murder took place, the three men were together, drinking alcohol. Disruptions occurred due to some remarks Ziyadham made about Sifam's sibling.

This led to the fight, which resulted in Ziyadham's murder. As such, the prosecutors noted that while evidence was found of Shanoon attacking Ziyadham with the knife, there is no concrete evidence of Sifam attacking him with a knife as well.

The Criminal Court on 18 December, 2022 held the verdict hearing of the case.

Mohamed Shanoon was found guilty of murdering Ali Ziyadham, after seven years. While Shanoon was found guilty of first degree murder, Sifam was found guilty of assisting with a murder.

Statements taken by the witnesses disclosed that Ziyadham had a child when he was murdered.

Additionally, while his mom was alive when he was murdered, his mother has now passed away.

Ziyadham had five female siblings and one male, from the same mother. He also had two other half siblings, from his father.

The next hearing of the case will be held to take the statements of his kin.

Presiding over the case is Judge Ismail Shafeeu.