On the night of December 4, 2019, Gasim Hassan, a taxi driver, was killed. The brutal murder shook the community and sent shockwaves throughout the country. The Maldives Police Service immediately launched an investigation to find the perpetrator of the heinous crime. After 15 days, the police arrested Adham Mohammed of Doorhiya, Lh. Hinnavar, on December 19. This was a major breakthrough in the case, and the police worked tirelessly to gather evidence to build a strong case against Adham.
On January 19, 2020, the case finally ended as Adham was found guilty of intentional homicide. The presiding judge, Ali Nadeem, delivered the verdict. The verdict was based on the overwhelming evidence presented in court, which included a DNA analysis of the knife used in the murder. Judge Nadeem pointed out that Adham’s DNA was found on the knife, which clearly indicates his guilt. Adham spoke differently about the knife, claiming that he had nothing to do with the murder. However, after a thorough interrogation, he eventually admitted to stabbing Gasim.
Although Adham did not intend to kill Gasim by stabbing him in the neck, his actions and attempt to flee the scene showed that he had done it intentionally. Furthermore, he claimed to be drunk but not ignorant of his actions’ consequences.
The case was initially filed in the Criminal Court under a plea agreement with the Prosecutor General’s Office. Adham admitted to attacking Gasim and provided a detailed account of the event. However, he later withdrew his confession, claiming torture by the police. He has since confessed to the crime a second time but denies the intent to commit the crime, claiming that it was done under the influence of alcohol and not intentionally.
The case was initially filed in the Criminal Court under a plea agreement with the Prosecutor General’s Office. Adham admitted to attacking Gasim and provided a detailed account of the event. At this point, it seemed like a straightforward case. However, things took a turn when Adham later withdrew his confession, claiming torture by the police. This raises the question of the reliability of his initial confession. Was it given voluntarily, or was it coerced?
Adham has since confessed to the crime a second time, but this time he claims he did not intend to commit the crime. Instead, he says that he was under the influence of alcohol and was not in control of his actions.
Adham was sentenced to death after the Gasim’s five children, who are currently alive as his heirs, testified at the trial that they wanted the death penalty.
If Adham chooses not to appeal the death sentence, the prosecution can appeal to higher courts such as the High Court and the Supreme Court. If the prosecution does appeal, Adham’s legal team will have the opportunity to present new evidence and arguments to support his case. However, it is essential to note that the appeals process can be lengthy and complex and may involve multiple hearings and appeals.
