State to submit phone records of Anas murder suspects as evidence

The State prosecution says it has detailed phone records of the defendants in the murder of Mohamed Anas which it will submit to court as evidence.

The State prosecutor made the statement during Tuesday’s hearing at Criminal Court.

The Criminal Court scheduled hearings for two of the defendants; Afrah Abdul Razzaq from M. Lonumidhilige at Male’ City, and Mohamed Shaz from Gulfaamuge at Th. Kinbidhoo. However, the hearing for Afrah was cancelled as he has not yet hired legal representation.

At Tuesday’s hearing, the State prosecutor read the accessory to murder charge against Shaz and read the evidence against him.

The prosecutor said one of the three confidential documents which will be submitted as evidence against Shaz includes a detailed chart of his phone conversations with the other defendants.

The two other documents are an intelligence report and an investigative report.

The State prosecutor also said she will be submitting testimony of five anonymous witnesses as evidence; to prove a group of masked men who arrived on motorcycles entered the Litus Service Center at approximately 9:15 pm on July 31, stabbed Anas, and then exited from the building and fled on motorcycles.

The State prosecutor said she will also be submitting CCTV footage and testimony of the police officer who conducted the video analysis of the footage as evidence against Shaz; to prove who had been driving one of the motorcycles involved in the attack.

According to the prosecution, defendant Ahmed Zayan from Asurumaage at Lh. Kurendhoo had been at the backseat of the motorcycle driven by Shaz.

Additional evidence complied in the case includes Anas’ death certificate, medico-legal report, testimony of the medical officer at ADK Hospital who prepared the medico-legal report, and the scene of crime report.

When given the opportunity to respond to the charge, Shaz’s attorney said the defense will not be making any statement in response as they weren’t allowed the opportunity to meet and prepare their defense.

The State prosecutor said Shaz faces a prison sentence of 15 to 25 years if found guilty. He has been charged under Article 5 (f) of Anti-Threatening and Ownership of Lethal Weapons and Sharp Objects Act, in reference to Article 5 (e) of Anti-Threatening and Ownership of Lethal Weapons and Sharp Objects Act.

The judge concluded Tuesday’s hearing, announcing the next hearing will be held after defendant Afrah hires legal representation. Afrah has been given 10 days to hire legal representation.

In addition to Shaz and Afrah, five more people are standing trial for Anas’ murder.

Defendants charged with murder:

- Usman Shareef, M. Dhimishq in Male’ City

- Ahmed Zayan, Asurumaage in Lh. Kurendhoo

Defendants charged with accessory to murder:

- Junaih Abdulla, Nanreethige in Thundi, L. Gan

- Hassan Masoodh, Western Villa in S. Feydhoo

- Simah Moosa, Dhafthar 1746