Cases have been forwarded to the Prosecutor General’s (PG) office to press charges against three suspects in connection with the murder of Naeema Moosa in Noonu Manadhoo on April 7.
Public Prosecutor Ahmed Shafeeu told Adhadhu that the PG office accepted cases sent by the police last Sunday seeking charges against three suspects accused of killing the 62-year-old woman.
The cases will be filed at the Criminal Court this week, he added.
Naeema was found dead in her home. The three suspects were arrested last May.
The suspects:
- Ahuzam Abdul Shukoor (23 years), Noonu Manadhoo, Fehivilaage
- Abdul Wahid Rifas (21 years), Noonu Manadhoo, Finifenmaage
- Hussain Fawaz (21 years), Noonu Manadhoo, Vinares
Two murder weapons and the clothes worn by the assailants were retrieved after they had been burned and buried, the police previously said.
Adhadhu learned that Azuham confessed to the murder while he was in custody on drug abuse charges and suffering from withdrawal. Fawaz and Rifas were arrested based on information from Azuham.
However, the motive for Naeema's murder remains unclear and the authorities have not made any official comment.
Several police forensic experts took part in the homicide investigation on the island. DNA samples were also taken from many residents. A lot of blood was on the ground when Naeema was found. She had been stabbed multiple times.
The police previously said cases could not be sent for prosecution due to delays in completing the DNA report.
The suspects were arrested more than a month after Naeema’s murder and the police investigation with the suspects in custody lasted more than six months. Duty prosecution (discussions to complete processes required before pressing charges) started two months ago.
Naeema was survived by three children. She was married twice and both her ex-husbands passed away before her murder.
