Seven years after the murder of Mohamed Anas from Raa Meedhoo in a case of mistaken identity, all seven suspects charged in the case have been found not guilty by the Criminal Court.
Three men were charged with murder and four men were charged with aiding and abetting the murder in connection with the fatal stabbing on July 31, 2017.
Ahmed Zayan from Lhaviyani Kurendhoo along with Usman Shareef and Afrah Abdul Razzaq from Male' were charged with premeditated murder using a sharp object.
The four suspects charged as their alleged accomplices were Junaih Abdulla from Laamu Gan, Hassan Mahfooz from Seenu Feydhoo, Mohamed Shaz from Thaa Kibidhoo and Shimah Moosa from Male'.
The faces of the assailants had been concealed and state witnesses who testified during the trial were unable to identify them.
Delivering the verdict on Sunday, Judge Ali Nadheem also noted the lack of corroborating evidence to positively identify the defendants from photos and video footage submitted as evidence. It could not be established either from the testimony of witnesses, some of whom testified anonymously, the judge said.
The prosecution also submitted call detail charts of some of the defendants. But as it was a paper prepared by the police, the judge ruled that it could not be given weight as evidence.
Anas was murdered seven years ago inside the Litus service center in Male'. Video footage of the incident had been leaked online at the time. It showed Anas running inside the center after he saw a group of men approaching with knives.
The video showed each of the gang members stabbing him repeatedly after they followed Anas inside the center.
A minor was also charged over the murder. He was acquitted after a trial at the Juvenile Court but the High Court overturned the verdict and sentenced him to 18 years in jail in October 2022.
