High Court begins appeal hearings on Sumon’s death sentence for the murder of Ismail Umar in Ihavandhoo

The appeal against the Criminal Court’s death sentence issued to Bangladeshi national Sumon Mia, convicted of killing Ismail Umar of Athiree-aage, Lh. Hinnavaru, inside the accommodation block of MIFCO’s ice plant in HA. Ihavandhoo, is set to begin.

Sumon’s conviction has been pending appeal for four years, but hearings have not yet commenced at the High Court. The case is scheduled to begin today.

Sumon was charged with intentional homicide using a sharp object. Prosecutors said that on June 16, 2017, he killed Ismail while he was sleeping inside the accommodation block of the ice plant.

From the investigation stage through the Criminal Court hearings, Sumon repeatedly confessed and explained how he carried out the killing. He said he decided to kill Ismail because he was not paid overtime, and because Ismail complained when he spoke to his wife on the phone.

However, at the first summary hearing, Sumon pleaded not guilty.

When asked why he changed his statement, Sumon told the court he confessed earlier because police forced him to do so, and because he was told that the two others arrested with him would be placed in the same cell.

The two other suspects were later acquitted of concealing a murder.

Three police officers involved in the investigation were produced before the court. When asked whether they had coerced or injured Sumon, all three denied it.

The Criminal Court ruled that Sumon’s last-minute change of plea was not sufficient grounds to retract his confession. The court found him guilty of intentional homicide with a sharp object.

The court then took testimony from Ismail’s three heirs, all of whom requested the death penalty. Judge Ali Adam sentenced Sumon to death.