The Prosecutor General's Office has decided to appeal the Criminal Court's verdict that acquitted those arrested on suspicion of attacking former Prosecutor General (PG) Hussain Shameem.

The charges were filed against Midhuhath Adam from Alifushi island of Raa atoll, Mohamed Jazlan from Gan island of Laamu atoll, Ahmed Maisan Hashim, Rajuvan Latheef from Maamendhoo island of Laamu atoll, Shamaal Hussain from Gaadhiffushi island of Thaa atoll, Abaan Abdul Hannan from Dhiyamigili island of Thaa atoll, and Zayan Naseer from Maamigili island of Alif Dhaal atoll.

The state charged them with attempted murder using a sharp weapon. The Criminal Court has ruled that the charges were not proven against them.

The main reason the court determined the case was not proven was because the time shown in the CCTV footage, which was the most important evidence submitted by the state to prove the case, did not match the time the incident occurred.

Further, the court stated that when considering other evidence submitted by the state to prove the charges, no additional evidence or circumstantial evidence was presented that supports the defendants as having committed the crime.

Charges were sought against those accused of being involved in the assault on Shameem in mid-August 2024.

Maldives Police Service (MPS) wrapped up the investigation into the case and forwarded the chargesheet to the Prosecutor General’s Office (PG Office) on 18 August 2024. The charges were filed at the court on 22 August 2024.

Seven individuals were arrested in connection with the case, which was investigated as an attempted murder case. They have been charged with attempted murder.

The accused are currently behind bars, pending the end of their trial. The two individuals who were initially arrested for assaulting Shameem were jailed pending the end of their trial, in early February 2024.

The state charged the seven suspects for planning the attack on Shameem, attempting to attack him on the head with a dangerous weapon near Noor Mosque in the capital city while Shameem was on the street at around 07:42am on 31 January 2024, as well as injuring Shameem’s wrist during the assault and those who waited in a car until the attack was completed having left the area with the attackers after the assault.

MPS has confirmed that the attack was carried out using a weapon.

Shameem was treated for injuries to his arm at ADK Hospital. Shameem’s security was strengthened in the wake of the attack as well.

The PG Office condemned the assault on Shameem, in the strongest terms.