Court hears defence witnesses for minors accused of Thinadhoo arson attacks

Juvenile Court has heard witness statements from the defence for the four minors on trial facing terrorism charges for the arson attack on Gaafu Dhaalu Thinadhoo police station during the riots that took place on 8 February 2012.

A number of public buildings and property were vandalized during the unrest that took place in Thinadhoo following the controversial change of power on 7 February 2012, including arson attacks on police vehicles, atoll council office and court houses.

A senior official from Juvenile Court said the court concluded hearing of defence witness statements on Tuesday. However, the official refused to provide details, stating it was a juvenile case.

“In the hearing yesterday, one of the defendants had presented one witness and the court also heard statements from six witnesses presented by another defendant. This concludes hearing witness statements from the defendants,” the official said.

The court will hear concluding statements from both sides during the next hearing for the case scheduled for Monday. A sentencing hearing is yet to be scheduled.

All four minors are now over 18 years old. Their charges state that young men attacked Thinadhoo Police Station on 8 February 2012 between 4:30 pm and 8:30 pm. They are accused assaulting police officers and damaging the police building and public property.