Defandants in Mafaaz murder lose opportunity to present witnesses

The three suspects arrested and charged with terrorism for the conflict that took place before the murder of Ahmed Mafaaz has lost the chance to present defence witnesses after failing to produce any within the given period.

The three people who were charged were Mohamed Midhuhath, Ahmed Saeed and Ahmed Rizam, all of Malé City.

At the last hearing, the judge gave the opportunity to produce defence witnesses. But the three defendants requested the court to give another opportunity since they cannot produce any witnesses today.

The judge responded by saying that enough opportunities have been given to present witnesses so the next hearing, on 2 February 2017, would have the closing statements.

All three defendants in the case are not currently detained.

On the night of 7 December 2014, around 1:40 a.m., Mafaaz was killed in a gang violence that took place near G. Masodige. With the lack of evidence against the three suspects for the murder, they were charged with terrorism for the gang violence that erupted between two gangs before the murder.