Commissioner of Police Abdullah Riyaz has condemned the claims that one of the suspects of Dr Afrasheem’s murder case, Hussain Humaam of H. Lobby, confessed to the murder because he was intimidated by the police.

In a statement published on the police website, Commissioner Riyaz pointed out that Humaam confessed to the murder as well as denied the charges against him while he was in police custody.

“He confessed in court, in front of the judge. And then, didn’t he also deny the charges while he was in police custody? Why aren’t people saying that he was intimidated then? Only the confession is due to intimidation? So if you say that he was intimidated by the police, that intimidation should be known,” he said.

Commissioner Riyaz said that Humaam had provided details of the murder also in court sessions held to extend his period of detention, before he confessed to the murder.

“I believe that we have provided strong enough evidence to prove that the suspects are guilty of the murder. He has explained how it happened through his confession in court. The truth is, he didn’t only say those things in court, he also explained it in front of a judge when he was taken court regarding extension of his detention period. So I’m sure all these things will be considered,” he said.

He said that suspects’ confessions are not the only evidence to prove crimes against them, and sufficient other forms of evidence had been presented against them.

“I have repeatedly said that what we need to prove this crime is not just Humaam’s statements. There are several pieces of evidence regarding this case. Yesterday the doctor presented his statement. The court received plenty of information from the doctor’s statement. Another person has also provided a witness statement. He has explained what he saw. And then plenty more pieces of evidence have been sent to court, including DNA evidence,” Commissioner Riyaz said.

He said that some groups have been trying to politicise the investigation of this murder, and advised lawyers not to try to undermine the police institution.

Humaam, a suspect in the Afrasheem murder case, denied the charges shortly after confessing to the murder.