Afiya admits she strangled Ibthihaal

Afiya Mohamed, the mother of Mohamed Ibthihaal, has admitted in court that she strangled her son.

Afiya has been charged by the State with murder and disobedience, after three-year-old Ibthihaal was found dead in their house in Vaavu Rakeedhoo on 28 January 2015 with signs of abuse.

Presenting the murder charge at the hearing in Criminal Court today, the State Prosecutor said that Ibthihaal died at around noon on 28 January 2015 as a result of being kicked, and having his throat constricted to keep him from breathing, by Afiya.

When asked for her plea, Afiya pleaded guilty for all charges.

When asked specifically if she strangled Ibthihaal, Afiya replied “yes”.

To this, Afiya’s lawyer, former Attorney General Azima Shakoor responded that the defendant should not be questioned directly in the presence of a lawyer representing her.

Judge Muhthaz Fahmy responded by saying that the plea must be presented by the defendant herself, and that this is prescribed in the relevant regulation.

The State requested for more time to review recently-obtained evidence related to the case.

The State Prosecutor said that the charges may be revised in light of on the new evidence.

In addition to the charges against Afiya, the State has also charged Afiya’s stepfather with sexual abuse of Ibthihaal.