Ziyadham's murder: all heirs seek death penalty, mother wished the same before she passed away

The heirs of Ali Ziyadham, native to Mundoo island of Laamu atoll, who was murdered on March 20, 2015, has stated that they seek death penalty for Ziyadham's murder.

The hearing to take statements of Ziyadham’s heirs was held at the Criminal Court on Sunday.

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

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

As per the charge, both suspects were 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 was also accused of attacking one of the people who carried Ziyadham to the hospital, as well as threatening an individual near the hospital.

According to the evidence brought to the court by the government prosecutors, Ziyadham, Sifaam and Shanoon used to hang out together. On the night the murder took place, the three men were together, reportedly drinking alcohol. Heated exchanges began following 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.

Ziyadham's mother was alive when he was murdered, but she has since passed away. Ziyadham's mother revealed to the police while she was still alive that she seeks death for the murder of her son.

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

Ziyadham also had five female siblings and one male sibling from the same mother and father, as well as two half siblings from his father.

At Sunday’s hearing, all of Ziyadham's siblings, as well as his father, stated that they seek the death penalty for Ziyadham's murder.

The decision was made by Ziyadham’s heirs after the prosecution explained the decisions they can make in connection with Ziyadham’s murder. As such, the prosecution explained that the heirs have the option of seeking death for his murder, not seeking death and accepting compensation for his death, or not seeking either death or compensation for his murder.

Ziyadham’s heirs stated that the decision to seek death penalty was made without coercion or influence.

Next will be the hearing to discuss and determine the sentence of the case. As such, presiding Judge of the case, Judge Ismail Shafeeu stated that the next hearing will be scheduled for next week.