Raa Meedhoo youth protested on Wednesday as President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih arrived on a campaign trip, calling for justice for Mohamed Anas, a young man from Meedhoo who was killed by a gang in Male'.
The protest was staged to coincide with the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) presidential candidate's arrival on the island.
After Meedhoo, the president traveled to Madduvari in the same atoll. At a campaign rally on the island, Road Development Corporation (RDC) Managing Director Moosa Ali Manik 'Mookey,' the president of the MDP's branch for the Raa atoll constituency, said that President Solih met with the protesters in Meedhoo and delayed his departure from the island to listen to their concerns.
"The biggest concern for youth in Meedhoo today as well is justice for Anas. I would like to thank the president on behalf of myself and everyone in our constituency, especially on behalf of the youth, for delaying coming to this island and spending time to listen to them," Mookey said.
Murder victim Anas.
The Criminal Court concluded hearings in the Anas murder trial last April. A verdict is due to be delivered at the next hearing.
Anas was killed on July 31, 2017. A juvenile and seven adult suspects were charged with murder and violent assault.
Anas was stabbed to death inside the Litus service center. Video footage of the attack that emerged later showed Anas running into the garage when he saw a group of men with knives and the gang members chasing after Anas and stabbing him multiple times.
The four main suspects charged with murder are Junaih Abdulla, Hassan Mahfooz, Mohamed Shaaz and Simah Moosa. Ahmed Zayan, Usman Shareef and Afrah Abdul Razzaq were charged as accomplices.
