Criminal Court reconvicts Samah in Kaashidhoo police murder after Supreme Court‑ordered retrial

The Criminal Court has once again found Mohamed Samah guilty of murdering a police officer in K. Kaashidhoo, following a retrial ordered by the Supreme Court.

The case concerns the 2012 killing of Sergeant Adam Haleem, who was serving in Kaashidhoo at the time. Samah, a local resident, was initially convicted and sentenced to death in 2013. The High Court upheld the verdict, but the Supreme Court later ruled that the case must be reheard.

In its ruling, the Supreme Court bench, comprising Justice Husnu Al‑Suood, former Justice Dr. Azmiralda Zahir, Justice Aishath Shujoon Mohamed, former Justice Mahaz Ali Zahir and Justice Dr. Mohamed Ibrahim, held that a conviction cannot rely solely on a confession unless the statements are proven beyond reasonable doubt. The court noted that even though Samah admitted to the assault, he claimed he did not intend to kill the officer.

The bench instructed the Criminal Court to conduct a full retrial and determine whether evidence existed beyond Samah’s confession. With the retrial now complete, the Criminal Court has again found Samah guilty. His sentencing is expected later this week.

According to police, Sergeant Haleem was attacked while attempting to escort Samah to the police station, as Samah had violated house arrest conditions. Samah’s defence maintains that the attack was not intended to be fatal.