Tag: Stabbing

28-year-old man stabbed to death in gang-related violence

A 28-year-old was stabbed to death in the capital Malé in the early hours of this morning (December 7) near the People’s Majlis.

Local media identified the man as Ahmed Mafaz also known as ‘Masodi Mafaa’ from Seenu Maradhoo Island. Haveeru reported Mafaz as belonging to the Masodi gang.

A Maldives Police Service (MPS) media statement read that Mafaz died at ADK hospital while being given emergency treatment for numerous stab wounds including fatal cuts in his neck and shoulders.

An MPS official told Minivan News that the stabbing case was reported to the police at around 1.45am and that the police officers at the scene took Mafaz to the hospital after stopping a taxi on the street.

An eyewitness told online news outlet Vaguthu that he saw two men stabbing and beating up Mafaz near the Alora furniture store while another group of people wielding machetes and other sharp weapons were banging on door of  a building used by the Masodi gang’s nearby, threatening to kill everyone inside.

Haveeru commented that the injuries appeared to be even more severe than those inflicted upon Ungoofaaru MP Dr Afrasheem Ali, whose brutal murder shocked the Maldives in October 2012.

In a tweet today, former President Mohamed Nasheed accused the President Abdulla Yameen’s government of failing to investigate violent crimes.

“Over 20 cases of knife attacks and 7 murdered in such attacks this year. President Yamin’s Govt has failed to investigate these crimes,” read the tweet

While speaking at a rally held to celebrate the first anniversary of the current government, President Yameen said that his administration has established peace and order in the country.

“We have peace and order in Malé and all regions of Maldives. We have peace. However, this is not to say that isolated and significant dangerous crimes do not occur,” said President Yameen.

“Saving the Maldives from these big atrocities is the biggest aim of this government,” he added.

He also pledged to implement the death penalty – reintroduced under his government – for the sake of human rights and dignity.

The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has expressed concern over rising insecurity while claiming that the current administration has failed to protect right to life and security during its first year in office.

The MDP highlighted Yameen’s failure to find missing Minivan News journalist Ahmed Rilwan. An investigation into the disappearance by a UK based private investigation firm concluded that radicalised gangs were the most likely suspects in his disappearance.

Meanwhile, ruling Progressive Party of Maldives have submitted amendments to the law prohibiting possession of dangerous weapons – a move which some civil society groups say violates constitutional rights such as the right to remain silent and to retain legal counsel.

A joint statement by Maldivian Democracy Network (MDN) and Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) urged the parliament to withhold from passing the amendments saying that it would “absolutely violate rather than limit fundamental rights of the people”.

The amendment bill states that suspects arrested for assault with sharp objects or dangerous weapons will not be able to exercise the right to remain silent “to any extent”.

Police could also question the suspect if he or she is either unable to have an attorney present within six hours, or waives the right to retain legal counsel.

Moreover, the suspect could only consult a lawyer in the presence of a police officer for the first 96 hours after the arrest.

The government’s intention to narrow constitutional rights came after a spate of violent assaults in the capital – which police said were a series of gang reprisals.

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Masked men enter Maradhoo home, assault family

Masked men forcibly entered a home in the Maradhoo ward of Addu City around 7:30am this morning and assaulted a father and son, reports local media.

The 47-year-old man and his 17-year-old son were taken to the Hithadhoo regional hospital for treatment of injuries.

The masked men also damaged property and electronic equipment at the ‘Aanika’ residence. According to online news outlet CNM, a two-year-old girl was also injured in the attack and sustained a head wound.

The incident follows the arrest of a 23-year-old from Maradhoo yesterday on suspicion of attacking a 34-year-old with a machete the previous night (November 21).

Police said he was arrested with a court order from his home in Maradhoo.

The suspect in custody has a criminal record for drug abuse, violent assault, theft, and assaulting a police officer on duty, police said.

While sources from Maradhoo suggested to local media that this morning’s incident was related to Friday night’s stabbing, police have not confirmed any connection.

Following a spate of stabbings this year, the government has proposed the strengthening of  laws prohibiting the carrying of sharp weapons, including restricting the constitutional rights to remain silent and retain legal counsel.

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MPs debate restricting constitutional rights after arrest

The People’s Majlis yesterday accepted legislation that proposes restricting the constitutional rights to remain silent and retain legal counsel for suspects arrested for violent assault.

Presenting the amendments (Dhivehi) to a 2010 law banning “threats and carrying dangerous weapons and sharp objects” on behalf of the government, Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) MP Ibrahim Didi said “special measures” were needed to curb increasing violent assaults, to ease the public’s fear and anxiety, and to establish public order and safety.

Opposition MPs contend that the changes are unconstitutional, suggesting that the government was blaming a lack of legislation for its failure to curb violent crime.

The amendments state that suspects arrested for assault with sharp objects or dangerous weapons could not exercise the right to remain silent “to any extent”.

Police could also question the suspect if he or she is either unable to have an attorney present within six hours or waives the right to retain legal counsel.

Moreover, the suspect could only consult a lawyer in the presence of a police officer for the first 96 hours after the arrest.

The legislation states that the rights of the accused would be narrowed in reference to Article 16(a) of the Constitution, which states that the rights and freedoms contained in chapter two could be limited by a law enacted by the People’s Majlis “only if demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society.”

While Article 49 of the Constitution states, “No person shall be detained in custody prior to sentencing, unless the danger of the accused absconding or not appearing at trial, the protection of the public, or potential interference with witnesses or evidence dictate otherwise,” the amendments state that the court must consider the criminal record of the accused, police intelligence reports, and other information submitted by police.

Additionally, the legislation stipulates that the Prosecutor General’s (PG) Office must press charges within 15 days of the arrest and the court must conclude the trial and deliver a verdict within 30 days of the case being filed.

In determining guilt, the court shall consider as evidence confessions or statements given at court, audio or video recordings of statements made by the accused to his or her lawyer, autopsy reports, and forensic evidence.

Attorney General Mohamed Anil revealed the government’s intention to narrow the constitutional rights at a press conference in October after a spate of violent assaults in the capital – which police said was a series of gang reprisals – saw three young men stabbed to death.

Speaking at a party rally earlier this week, PPM Parliamentary Group leader Ahmed Nihan reportedly said that the government would not stand to see young people labelled as gangsters.

Several incidents of gang violence have meanwhile occurred in recent weeks. Earlier this week, an 18-year-old was arrested after entering Billabong International High School with a machete during a gang fight.

Anil noted that the proposed amendments would specify harsher penalties for violent assault as the penalties in the current penal code were “far too lenient.”

The amendments propose the death penalty for premeditated murder in a violent assault using a dangerous weapon or sharp object as well as jail terms of up to 20 years for other offences specified in the law.

Following preliminary debate at yesterday’s sitting, the amendment bill was accepted with 66 votes in favour and five against and sent to the national security committee for further review.

“Incompetence and corruption”

Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MP Imthiyaz Fahmy – who voted against the amendments – told Minivan News that the obstacle to securing convictions for violent crimes was “incompetency and corruption within the criminal justice system.”

“When the government completely failed in tackling crimes that have gone out of hand they now blame it on legislation,” he contended.

“And true to their old style, the accused are to be beaten into confessing.”

Prior to the adoption of the new constitution in August 2008, the vast majority of convictions were based on confessions extracted during police interrogation and the police were often accused of torture and coercion.

During the parliamentary debate, PPM MP Ibrahim Didi said some cases were stalled at court for up to six years while the amendments would expedite the process and prevent the accused intimidating witnesses.

Several MPs objected to suspects being able to remain silent after committing serious crimes and insisted that violent crimes could be reduced if the bill is passed into law.

PPM Ahmed Thoriq suggested some rights guaranteed in the constitutional were unsuited to the Maldives.

Jumhooree Party Ali Hussain, however, contended that while fundamental rights and freedoms could be narrowed, completely depriving individuals of the right was unconstitutional.

PPM MP Mohamed Nasheed argued that preventing suspects from consulting a lawyer in private for four days was excessive and advised reducing the period to 36 hours.


Related to this story

AG seeks to strengthen prohibitions on carrying of sharp weapons

Five injured in spate of street violence in Malé

Gang assault with machete in Billabong high school

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Two men stabbed in café

Two men were stabbed in a café in Malé around 6:30am this morning by a group of men on motorbikes.

Eyewitnesses told local media that the assailants fled on motorbikes after stabbing the victims inside the K Mart café in the Henveiru ward of the capital.

Both victims were taken to the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital for treatment of injuries.

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18-year-old stabbed last night at Thinadhoo

An 18-year-old identified by local media as Ibrahim Shifaaz was stabbed at Gaaf Dhaal Thinadhoo last night (October 15).

While speaking to local news outlet Dhuvas, assistant manager of Thinadhoo hospital, Aiminath Abdul Hakeem said that the hospital started treating Shifaaz from midnight last night and said that that he was not in critical condition.

“He was stabbed in the thigh and the back. The wound was two centimeters deep in the thigh and three to four centimeters in the back,” said Aiminath.

A police official told Minivan News that six individuals including one under the age of 18 years have been arrested so far in relation to the case under a court warrant.

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Six arrested in connection with assault

Police arrested six men in connection with a violent assault in the artificial beach area of Malé around 2:50pm yesterday (October 3).

The six suspects in custody include two men who sustained injuries in the assault, police said, who were arrested following treatment at the ADK hospital.

Eyewitnesses told local media that the assault occurred when a man wearing a mask and carrying a machete knife entered the Dine-more restaurant.

Shortly thereafter, he was chased out by four men, who followed him into the Shawarma cafe on Majeedheemagu. Equipment and property at the cafe were damaged in the altercation.

Police said the suspects were arrested from the scene of the crime.

While two stabbing incidents occurred last week, a spate of violent assaults in the capital in August – which police said was a series of gang reprisals – saw two young men stabbed to death.

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Man stabbed in Malé

A young man was stabbed in the Maafanu ward of the capital Malé city last night (October 1), reports Sun Online.

An eyewitness told the online news outlet that the victim was bleeding heavily after being stabbed in the back. He was rushed to the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) for treatment.

In August, a spate of violent assaults in the capital – which police said was a series of gang reprisals – saw two young men stabbed to death.

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Man stabbed near southwestern harbour

A 20-year-old man was stabbed at the ‘Thih Ruh Park’ near the southwestern harbour in Malé last night by two men on a motorcycle, reports local media.

According to the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital, the victim was recovering after an operation last night.

Police said no arrests have been made yet in connection with the latest violent assault.

Last week, a 19-year-old stabbing victim died as a result of injuries. Doctors had removed his right leg in an attempt to save his life after he was stabbed six times.

Ahmed Aseel was the third victim of a fatal stabbing in recent weeks that have seen a surge in gang violence in the capital.

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PG advised release of suspect in Alhan stabbing, claims Criminal Court

The Prosecutor General’s (PG) Office saw “no reason” to keep a suspect arrested in connection with the stabbing of former MP Alhan Fahmy in pre-trial detention, the Criminal Court has claimed.

The court explained in a press statement yesterday that it was informed that the case against the two suspects – Mohamed Sameeh of Shiny, Fuvahmulah, and Mohamed Naseem, of Ulfamanzil, Seenu Hithadhoo – had been forwarded for prosecution, and that “the Prosecutor General’s Office had advised that it saw no reason to keep Mohamed Sameeh in further detention.”

Responding to criticism following the release of two suspects in Alhan’s stabbing, the Criminal Court contended that media reports concerning the court-ordered release of the pair were “false”.

“Mohamed Sameeh and Mohamed Naseem were released from custody on August 31, 2014 with conditions,” the court said, noting that the suspects had been held in remand detention for seven months.

Local media had reported that the pair were freed due to delays by the PG’s Office in formally filing charges five months after police concluded the investigation.

The Criminal Court noted that issuing arrest warrants, extending detention of suspects, and releasing suspects with or without conditions was “the arrangement under the Maldivian legal system,” adding that the court’s decisions could be appealed at the High Court.

“We remind that the court does not make decisions after seeking the views of a person or people but according to the rules or procedure specified in law,” the statement read, advising verifying information before reporting.

Asked about the Criminal Court’s contention, a media official at the PG’s Office told Minivan News he would check with the prosecutor on the case, but was not responding at the time of publication.

The media official did, however, say that the case was being expedited. A decision to prosecute would be based on the available evidence, he explained.

“For example, for the two [suspects], there could be a different amount of evidence. So it is likely that something like that might have been [relayed to the court],” he said.

According to local media, one of the suspects – Mohamed Naseem – has been convicted on drug abuse charges and sentenced to three years in prison. Naseem is also reportedly facing charges of sexually abusing a minor.

Meanwhile, the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has strongly condemned the release of two suspects.

The MDP noted in a press statement on Sunday (August 31) that the court’s decision was evidently not based on lack of evidence as judges had been granting extension of remand detention since February.

The remand detention must have been approved because the court believed the suspects posed “a danger to society” based on preliminary evidence, the party contended.

The release of suspects in a near-fatal stabbing despite evidence showed that there was “no hope for attaining justice through the Maldivian criminal justice system,” the statement read.

Alhan was stabbed in the back at the Breakwater cafe’ in Malé on the night of February 1.

Following the stabbing, eyewitnesses saw police catch and arrest one of the assailants. Alhan had received stab wounds to the back and was quickly flown to Sri Lanka for spinal surgery.

The former MP for Addu Feydhoo returned to the Maldives in early March, walking with a crutch following initial fears that the wounds may have caused permanent paralysis.

Speaking to Minivan News at the time, a family member alleged that the attack was politically motivated and well organised, claiming that Alhan’s car had been followed three days prior to the incident.

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