Humaam confesses to killing Dr Afrasheem

Hussain Humaam Ahmed of H. Lobby has confessed in court to killing religious scholar, Ungoofaaru MP Dr Afrasheem Ali.

Humaam confessed to the murder in Criminal Court today in the presence of his parents.

At the trial today, after the State presented its evidence, Humaam was given the opportunity to present his defence.

He then said that there was nothing more to be said, and that he had given a detailed account of the events related to the murder in his statement.

“Honourable Judge, the incident is too obvious, and therefore there is nothing more I can say. I have given my account of the events in the investigation statement,” he said.

The State said in court today that Dr Afrasheem’s DNA was found on Humaam’s person and his jeans.

When asked by the Judge to explain the incident in court, Humaam said that he had provided an explanation in the statement and requested that the statement be read in court.

When asked why he denied the murder charge earlier, Humaam said that he did so because his family might be exposed to difficulties otherwise.

Humaam’s statement was read in court today by the State Prosecutor.

Humaam said that he was approached by MNDF Officer Azlif Raoof when he was playing Baibalaa for Kuda Henveyru team last year. Humaam said that Azlif had said that he wanted to meet with him about something ‘very cool’.

Azlif was arrested in relation the murder of Dr Afrasheem, but was later released.

Humaam said that he was told by Azlif and ‘Spy’ that MP Afrasheem needs to be ‘removed’, and that he would receive a reward of MVR 4 million if he agreed to do this. Humaam said that he was told to keep the task ‘hidden’ (a secret).

Humaam said that after this, Hulhu-Henveyru MP Reeko Moosa Manik’s son-in-law Abdullah Javid (Jaa), Javid’s brother Janaa, and Azlif met with him in Jalapeno restaurant and they discussed ways to murder Dr Afrasheem.

Humaam said that during these discussions, he was told by Azlif that MVR 1 million had been received in advance, and that issues related to the murder were ‘very ready’.

Humaam said that he was told by Javid and group, that one reason why Dr Afrasheem had to be ‘removed’ was the remarks made by Dr Afrasheem on TV on the day the government changed.

Humaam said that he was joined in carrying out the murder by Ali Shaan (Sato) of H. Hicoast, and ‘Nangi’.

Humaam said that Ali Shaan was waiting inside the building before Dr Afrasheem arrived at home that night. He said that Ali Shaan had been waiting for about three minutes when Dr Afrasheem entered the building, following which he swung a machete, which left Dr Afrasheem in shock. This was followed by Humaam hitting Dr Afrasheem in the head with the machete twice, and Ali Shaan stabbing Dr Afrasheem with a knife. Dr Afrasheem then fell to the floor.

Humaam said that he got Dr Afrasheem’s blood on himself, which he washed off at Shaheed Ali Mosque near Ameer Ahmed School as per Ali Shaan’s advice.

Humaam said that he drank four bottles of alcohol mixed with Red Bull in Dolphin Café, 24 hours before the murder.

Humaam said that they were not sure if Dr Afrasheem had died when they left him lying on the floor. He said that he went to Pet Park near H. Adipark with Ali Shaan and changed his clothes, also as advised by Ali Shaan.

Humaam said that Azlif told him over the phone the route taken by Dr Afrasheem in his car after he attended a TV program on the night of the murder. Humaam said that Azlif had told him one day prior to the night of the murder, how to go to Dr Afrasheem’s residence H. Funvilu.

Humaam said that the route taken by him and Ali Shaan to Dr Afrasheem’s residence to kill him, was Buruzu Magu near Family Court, and then a narrow lane on to Ameenee Magu.

He said that he, together with Ali Shaan, checked the area on Buruzu Magu and Ameenee Magu leading up to Dr Afrasheem’s residence before carrying out the murder.

Humaam said that after assigning the task of killing Dr Afrasheem, Azlif gave him a packet of drugs and told him to travel to Noonu Velidhoo to sell it. Humaam said that he spent MVR 2,000 which he had earned from playing Baibalaa to travel to Velidhoo, however could not sell the drugs.

The State Prosecutor said that Humaam met with a group for coffee in Velidhoo, and told them that ‘the next person to die in Male’ would be an MP’. The State presented evidence to support this claim.

Humaam said that he returned to Male’ from Velidhoo following a request by Azlif.

In court today, Humaam said that he wanted to ask for forgiveness from Dr Afrasheem’s family.

After his statement was read, Humaam said that he had nothing more to say, but asked to be spared his life even though he may be sentenced to a punishment.

The State Prosecutor said that Humaam had confessed to the charges against him, and highlighted that his confessions match the evidence presented against him; and thus requested the court to declare him guilty of the crime.