Murder of Anas: Supreme Court orders detention of suspects
Supreme Court has ruled to detain seven individuals charged in the murder case of Anas after the High Court decided to detain the suspects and the case was appealed
Suspects charged in connection with Anas's murder
The Supreme Court has ruled to detain seven individuals charged in the murder case of Mohamed Anas from Meedhoo island of Raa atoll. The decision came after the High Court, for the second time, decided to detain the suspects, and the case was subsequently appealed to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has since ordered for the accused to be held in remand custody.
Anas, 25, was stabbed to death on eight years ago, on 31 July 2017 by a group of masked men. He was seen fleeing from his attackers and running into Litus Service Center in Henveiru-ward of capital Malé City on CCTV footage. The footage goes onto show Anas brutally stabbed by his attackers inside the garage.
After numerous trials, the Criminal Court acquitted the suspects in 2024, citing inconsistencies in crucial evidence such as CCTV footage. The court concluded that the prosecution failed to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, as required by law.
The state has charged seven individuals in this case: Junaih Abdulla from Gan island of Laamu atoll, Hassan Mahfooz from Feydhoo island of Seenu atoll, Simaah Moosa, registry No. 1746, Ahmed Zayan from Kurendhoo island of Lhaviyani atoll, Malé natives Usman Shareef and Afrah Abdul Razzaq, as well as Mohamed Saaz from Kinbidhoo island of Thaa atoll.
The state alleged that Zayan, Afrah, and Usman were the ones who attacked Anas. They have been charged with deliberate murder using a sharp object.
Although there was a previous request to detain these seven individuals until the end of the trial, the High Court ruled on 11 March 2025, that there was no need for their detention.
In connection with the case, four individuals have been charged with participating in deliberate murder using a sharp weapon, while three others were accused of actively participating in the attack on Anas. The Criminal Court acquitted all seven defendants on the night of 25 May 2024.
The attackers used sharp weapons to assault various parts of Anas's body. He was already deceased when brought to the hospital.
