Murder convict Zuhair released

Abdulla Zuhair, who was convicted of murdering Azleena Nafees and given life imprisonment 11 years ago, has been released.

Sun has come to know that Zuhair was released in October 2013.

It was not possible to get a comment from Maldives Correctional Service regarding this matter at the time of press.

In addition to Zuhair, Ibrahim Hamdhee and Abdulla Ismail were also sentenced to prison in relation to the murder of Azleena Nafees. It is not known if they have been released.

Zuhair and Abdulla Ismail were found guilty of carrying out the murder, while Ibrahim Hamdhee was found guilty of planning and standing guard while the murder was carried out.

They were sentenced in August 2002.

Sun has come to know that Zuhair now works as a security guard for a private company.

Azleena was found dead in a toilet at the building of Traders Association on 5 April 2001.

The three convicts were ordered to pay MVR 100,000 as compensation for Azleena’s death, as requested by the family, by then Criminal Court.