Protest calling to expedite probe into Zakiyya’s death amid talks of autopsy

Residents of N. Holhudhoo, on Friday, held a protest calling to expedite the investigation into the death of one of their own, Zakiyya Moosa, who was found dead in her home in September last year with deep neck wounds.

A large number of Holhudhoo residents gathered in protest in front of the police station on the island in black attire at 16:40pm on Friday evening.

Police had taped off the area and maintained security until the end of the protest.

A participant of the protest alleged there were hidden truths surrounding Zakiyya’s death and accused certain individuals of attempting to cover them up.

“Holhudhoo residents are fully aware [she] was murdered and cut up. 99 percent of people believe this. We are sure [she] was murdered and cut up. Holhudhoo residents will not believe it even if it is concluded as a suicide,” the participant said.

Participants of the protest held up banners expressing their views. In this regard, they called for an expedited investigation and to arrest the murderers and individuals trying to destroy evidence.

Notably, the protest has been held at a time Zakiyya’s family has requested to hold discussions regarding exhuming her body to conduct an autopsy to identify the cause of her death.

Zakiyya Moosa, 50, was found dead on the floor inside the storeroom of her home New Life on the morning of September 10, 2024, with a knife beside her body. While the police have said they have found no evidence of foul play in the violent death, many in Holhudhoo believe she was killed, and have been holding rallies urging the police to speed up the investigation and provide closure to the grieving family.

Amid mounting pressure, Home Minister Ali Ihusan and Commissioner of Police Ali Shujau visited Holhudhoo during Ramadan. During a meeting with the island’s residents, Ihusan said that there was some merit to allegations of police mishandling of the case, including the decision not to conduct an autopsy.

Zakiyya’s family said the Police met with them during the visit where they assured that autopsy would be conducted in all suspicious deaths following Zakiyya’s.

However, the family noted that this had been the protocol followed even prior to Zakiyya’s death, adding this was written in a regulation publicized by the National Standard for Forensic Medical Services in the Maldives last year.

The family attributed the decision to forgo an autopsy in Zakiyya’s case while the regulations already dictated otherwise as something done on purpose to destroy evidence.

United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has assisted Police in the investigation into Zakiyya’s death. However, the Police have not disclosed much details regarding their investigation.