Murder of Anas: defendants plead "not guilty"
the prosecution presented multiple witnesses and evidence against them during the first hearing of the murder trial held on Monday
Mohamed Anas, murdered
The seven defendants convicted of the murder of Mohamed Anas has pleaded not guilty on all charges pressed against them.
While all seven defendants pleaded not guilty against all charges, the prosecution presented multiple witnesses and evidence against them during the first hearing of the murder trial held on Monday. This included secret witnesses, police reports and video evidence, CCTV footage, autopsy reports, and call details of the defendants.
As such, the judge presiding over the case asked the defense attorneys to present their case.
Out of the three defendants convicted of murder, the defense of Usman Shareef of Male, Ahmed Zayan of Lhaviyani atoll Kurendhoo island, requested their trials to be concluded as soon as possible.
Additionally, the defense stated that Usman pleads not guilty and will prove his innocence during the defense's testimony.
Likewise, Zayan and Usman both presented five witnesses to prove their alibi's whereas the third defendant, Afrah Abdul Razzaaq of Lonumidhili in Maafanu ward, also pleaded not guilty against the charges levied against him and presented seven witnesses to prove his alibi.
Four people have been charged for assisting the three defendants in the murder of Anas by transporting the three murders to Litus Service Centre on motorbikes.
The state levied charges of being an accomplice in a murder against Junaih Abdulla of Gan island in Laamu atoll, Hassan Mahfooz of Feydhoo island in Seenu atoll, Mohamed Shaaz of Kinbindhoo island in Thaa atoll and Simah Moosa of registry no.1746.
As such, all four defendants pleaded not guilty with Junaih and Mahfooz presenting witnesses to support their alibi. Mahfooz claimed he was in Hulhumale at the time and presented three witnesses to support this claim.
After considering the case presented by both sides, Judge Mohamed Sameer scheduled the next hearing for 13:00 on January 7th 2020.
25-year-old Anas was stabbed to death by a group of masked assailants on July 31. CCTV footage shows him running into Litus Service Center in an attempt to fell his attackers; the brutal attack took place inside the garage.
