Court rules Shuzaadh cannot be prosecuted over Ibthihaal’s death

Criminal Court has ruled that Ahmed Shuzaadh - former employee of family and children’s’ service center in V. Atoll – cannot be prosecuted for negligent homicide over the death of three-year-old Mohamed Ibthihaal from V. Rakeedhoo.

At the hearing today, Judge Ahmed Shakeel said that the decision was made since the High Court has supported in the verdict from the employment tribunal that Shuzaadh’s dismissal from his job was in violation of the law.

In the verdict supporting the tribunal ruling, the High Court said that the state failed to show the job description holding Shuzaadh responsible in Ibthihaal’s murder. And he did not have the training to act in such situations according to the verdict and so Shuzaadh cannot be deemed negligent in the case.

The ruling from the employment tribunal said that Shuzaadh does not have the training for case management and was not negligent for his responsibilities. And so the tribunal ordered the Civil Service Commission to give him employment at a position he is qualified to hold.

Aside from Shuzaadh’s case, a hearing in the case of the other accused in the case, V. Fulidhoo, Aminath Shiyaza was also held today.

A request was made at the court on behalf of Shiyaza that she cannot be prosecuted in the case but the Court ruled that the case can move forward.