Murder of Anas: court to hear secret testimonies next

The Criminal Court convened a hearing in the murder trial of Mohamed Anas on Thursday, where the process of witness testimonies was completed.

On Thursday, Moosa Silveen, the last of the witnesses had given his testimonial as the forensic officer of the Maldives Police Service, who conducted the scene of crime report. Earlier, court has heard testimonies from three other witnesses.

The court will hear testimonies from secret witnesses in the next hearing.

Silveen stated that there was a lot of blood at the scene where Anas, native to Meedhoo island of Raa atoll was murdered in the garage of Litus Service Center.

They also found a pair of sandals, a key as well as a silver chain smeared with blood at the scene of the crime, where officers confiscated material evidence.

Also at Thursday’s hearing, the defendants had posed questions regarding police findings at the crime scene, including how they had entered the garage and if officers had cordoned off the area while they were collecting evidence.

When questioned by the defendant’s Lawyer Adam Asif, Silveen revealed that although they had not cordoned the area off, officers were active at the scene of the crime.

Lawyer Asif also questioned the state witness on whether they had sent the materials collected as evidence to run DNA tests and finger print testing, to which Silveen responded that they were sent for DNA testing.

The forensic officer was also questioned on how the key that was confiscated at the scene was found by someone other than a crime-of-scene officer. Silveen noted that the key was found by an Investigative Officer.

Junaih Abdulla, a suspect charged with accessory to murder, is currently held at Malé Prison, before his departure to seek medical treatment recommended by doctors. During the hearing, it was highlighted that his travel documents were inaccessible which was delaying his departure.

Lawyers of the accused have also sought from the presiding judges to reduce their remand period, as the process of hearing witness testimonies has been completed.

Judge Mohamed Sameer noted that after discussions regarding reviewing the remand of those accused, they will be holding another hearing during December in which the court will hear testimonies from secret witnesses.

The judge added that the accused will be held in remand, however, they will be encouraging to fast-track the trial.

On July 31, 2017, Anas was stabbed to death by a group of masked assailants and CCTV footage show a the group chasing Anas who ran into Litus Service Center to flee them. He was pinned down and stabbed inside the garage.

The state pressed charges against seven suspects; Ahmed Zayan, Usman Shareef and Afrah Abdul Razzaq have been charged with first-degree murder. Junaih Abdulla, Hassan Mahfooz, Mohamed Shaaz and Simah Moosa are charged with accessory to murder, they have pleaded not guilty, since.