Supreme Court concludes hearings in Shuhadh murder appeal; bench questions alleged police torture

The Supreme Court on Sunday concluded the hearings in the appeal filed by Hassan Fareedh, who was sentenced to death for the murder of Abdulla Shuhadh 16 years ago.

Fareedh, of Karankaage, Fuvahmulah, was convicted of killing Shuhadh during a violent confrontation between two neighbourhood groups in January 2010. The High Court upheld the death sentence, after which the case was appealed to the Supreme Court.

At Sunday’s hearing, the bench questioned the prosecution about allegations of police torture during the investigation. Judges asked why a key document had been signed by police officers instead of Fareedh. The prosecution responded that officers signed the document because Fareedh had said he was unable to sign due to injuries, noting that no specific procedural rule existed at the time.

Fareedh, who represented himself without a lawyer, told the court he was assaulted while in police custody. He said he was handed over to a police team from Addu City and thrown into a launch, after which he was taken to Hithadhoo Regional Hospital for treatment. He said he was later taken to Gan Police Station, where he received further medical care.

He also claimed that a team from the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) was prevented from entering Fuvahmulah by a group of people, allegedly due to information provided by police. He said officers entered his home without a court order when arresting him.

When asked whether the alleged assault had been investigated, the prosecution said it was unaware of any such inquiry. However, it argued that administrative issues in the investigation would not affect the conviction, as the verdict was based on witness testimony, and requested the Supreme Court to uphold the death sentence.

The bench stated that if no further clarification is required, the next step will be delivering the verdict.

Shuhadh’s parents had earlier told the court they wanted Qisas, the death penalty, for Fareedh. Speaking via video conference from Fuvahmulah, they reiterated their demand, saying they wished to “take death from Fareedh,” as they had stated in the lower courts.

Before their statements were taken, the court asked Fareedh whether he wished to address the family. He said he had nothing to say.

The case is being heard by a bench headed by Chief Justice Abdul Ghani Mohamed, alongside Justice Hussain Shaheed, Justice Aishath Shujoon Mohamed, Justice Ali Rasheed Hussain, and Justice Mohamed Saleem. The matter was previously heard by a different bench.