Police Commissioner expresses concern over court ruling on Shifan murder case

Commissioner of Police Abdullah Riyaz has expressed concern over the acquittal by Criminal Court of the six people charged with the murder of Ali Shifan of M. Fairy Corner.

In a video interview posted on the police website, Riyaz said that he was shocked when the court found the six suspects not guilty.

He said that the police had carried out a thorough investigation on the murder and presented several forms of evidence including DNA evidence. He assured Shifan’s family that the police would do everything possible to bring the perpetrators to justice.

He said that discussions had been held with the Prosecutor General (PG) regarding this case, and that a letter had been sent to the PG requesting him to appeal the case in High Court.

Riyaz said that the manner in which this case was concluded shows the importance of an Evidence Act, which is currently lacking in the Maldives.

The State had pressed charges against Mohamed Mishan Abdul Haadhee of M. Silvernet, Mohamed Asif of Maafahi in Lhaviyani Kurendhoo, Mohamed Shaifan of Male’ Dhaftharu 2193, Ali Nabeeh of M. Nalahiya Manzil, Razzan Abdul Rahman of Kaanimaage in Baa Thulhaadhoo, and Abdullah Thilmeez of M. Dhinmana.

The court said in its ruling that unlike other cases, collection of witness statements in murder cases must be conducted in light of the principles of Islamic Sharia. It further said that the DNA evidence against Shaifan can be viewed as strong evidence against him; however, as there were discrepancies in other evidence presented against him, DNA evidence alone is not sufficient to prove a murder case.