Ibthihaal murder trial: Verdict hearing set for March 8th!

The verdict hearing in the murder trial of three-year-old Mohamed Ibthihaal has been scheduled for March 8th.

A hearing in the murder trial was held on Tuesday to take witness statements. However, during Tuesday's hearing, the state prosecutor requested an additional hearing to take witness statements as it was not possible on that day. The state prosecutor highlighted that one of the two witnesses is a defence witness, therefore, is important for trial.

Afiya's husband, Ibrahim Shafeeq, is a witness of the defence and was unable to attend the hearing as he was working at his job as a ferry driver in Shaviyani atoll at the time. Hence, the prosecutor suggested the hearing be held on Wednesday as it is the witnesses off-day, adding the state is looking into arrangements to take his witness statement via video conference through the Magistrate Court at Shaviyani atoll Funadhoo. The prosecutor further stated that the request has been submitted in writing to the court as well.

The presiding judge over the trial, Judge Mohamed Sameer, approved the request and scheduled an additional hearing for 12:00 pm on Wednesday, stating that the hearing will be the final chance to take witness statements.

As such, Judge Sameer stated that a hearing to declare the case summary will be held on February 26th at 11:30 am and that the verdict hearing will be held on March 8th.

The verdict hearing was originally set for February 26th.

Ibthihaal's mother, Afiya, initially plead guilty to the toddler's murder but later retracted her confession, claiming that she had been coerced to confess. Although she had admitted to strangling her son in his sleep when presented in court, Afiya later claimed that she had not been home at the time of Ibthihaal's death and had returned to find large footsteps in the courtyard that she had swept prior to leaving.

Three-year-old Mohamed Ibthihaal's murder shook the nation after his body was found beaten to death inside his home in Rakeedhoo Island of Vaavu Atoll in January 2015.

Afiya, who has a history of sexual abuse, suffers from severe depression and has high levels of anxiety which was triggered at the smallest of matters, according to several tests done by mental health expert, Dr Aishath Ali Naaz. She said no mental disorders were observed during the tests but that Afiya easily succumbs to fits of uncontrollable anger, often damaging the surroundings.

Dr Naaz had testified in court that Afiya has no record of mental disorders and that she murdered her son on her own accord. Dr Naaz added that Afiya had demonstrated how she murdered her son, using a doll in one of the sessions, in which Afiya showed her where she had struck and kicked him.

At the end of the assessment Afiya had burst into tears, pleading Dr Naaz to help others in society who have no control over their anger.

Afiya was sexually abused in her childhood and had conceived Ibthihaal out of the abuse.