Criminal Court acquits 5 accused of 2016 MU store robbery

The Criminal Court of the Maldives has acquitted four people charged over the break-in and robbery of the MU Store in Male’ City in 2016. 

The robbers broke into the store after taking the security guard of the store hostage. They then broke into the safe of the store stealing cash worth around MVR 5 million. The robbery happened around 2:30 on April 23, 2016. 

Five people were charged with four crimes by the state in the case. 

They are:

• Moosa Yoosuf, Himaayaiy, Thundi, L. Gan
• Ahmed Farish, M. Asia, Male’ City
• Ahmed Shifan, MA. Kalhufehi, Male’ City
• Ismail Sayaah, H. Burekiaage, Male’ City
• Yoosuf Shaaheen, H. Roashanvilla, Male’ City

Police upon searching the residence of the five in H. Burekiaage discovered bags thrown into the air duct of a room in the house. The bags contained around MVR 2 million and USD 101,700. Police also accused the men of taking the store security guard hostage.

They were charged with destruction of property, intentional trespass, unlawful imprisonment, and robbery. 

The Criminal Court, in a ruling issued on March 28, 2021, acquitted all five of the charges. All five had denied the charges against them despite the state presenting a lot of evidence against them. 

Judge Ali Adam, in his ruling, said that the state had not been able to specify the exact acts carried out by the men in relation to the destruction of property charges. 

The judge also ruled that no witnesses submitted by the state had actually seen the men committing the act, nor breaking into the building. 

The security guard of the store had also not been able to fully verify who had committed the act of unlawful imprisonment against him, while the state had also not been able to prove this point, according to the judge’s ruling.

The Judge also stated that no fingerprint or DNA evidence connecting the men to the scene of the crime in any way was presented by the prosecution. 

In relation to the charges of robbery, the men were accused of breaking into three safes to steal around MVR 5 million. The judge ruled that the cash was not found in the possession of the men and that no connecting evidence was presented by the state in relation to the charge.

The judge ruled that the prosecution had not been able to prove the charges against the accused beyond reasonable doubt.

Police have previously stated that the cash amount seized from the residence, was the largest ever made in such a case of the alleged robbery.