The Criminal Court has imposed a fine on two people for breaking the windowpane of the popular Meraki Coffee Roasters Cafe in Male'.
The pair posted a sticky note threatening queer people and shattered the glass window of the cafe. They were identified as Thasleem Adam and Sibaah Shareef.
The two men pleaded not guilty to the charge of damage to property, but they were found guilty based on the evidence presented by the prosecution.
In November 2019, police identified Thasleem and Sibaah Shareef as involved in the attack on Meraki with the help of CCTV footage. The strongest evidence submitted by the prosecution was also the CCTV footage.
It shows Thasleem Adam posting sticky notes at the Meraki cafe and using a pavement brick to smash the windowpane. It also showed that Sibaah Shareef assisted him.
The pair were sentenced to two months and 19 days in jail and their jail terms were commuted to a fine. Each of them must pay a fine of MVR 15,800 to the state.
The court ordered them to pay the fine to the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) within 12 months.
