Ibrahim Sammah Ahmed, who was charged over the fatal stabbing of 19-year-old Moosa Ahmed from Vaavu Keyodhoo during an assault near the Items shop in Maafannu five years ago, has been found not guilty by the Criminal Court.
Sammah, who is from Alif Dhaal Maamigili, was charged with premeditated murder using a sharp object. Along with another suspect, he was also charged with possession of a sharp object in public without a valid reason. The Criminal Court found the defendant not guilty on both charges on Monday.
The main reason for the acquittal was the retraction of testimony by the only witness in the case, the verdict by Criminal Court Judge Ibrahim Ihusan stated. After having testified during the trial, the witness later wrote to the court and claimed to have testified under duress due to intimidation by the state.
Despite the prosecution submitting video footage as evidence, the defendant could not be positively identified from it, the verdict stated. The prosecution also failed to submit corroborating evidence or prove how forensic evidence tied Sammah to the crime, the verdict stated.
Moosa was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at the hospital for treatment of injuries sustained in the assault that occurred on September 24, 2017.
