Report confirms Zuha died from asphyxiation

Postmortem report on Hawwa Zuha - found dead in an alleyway in Male’ in January – confirms that she was strangled to death.

During the hearing at Criminal Court this Monday, Dr. Hassan Umar – who prepared the translation of the postmortem report – said that there had been bruising on Zuha’s neck – consistent with strangulation, and that the report confirmed that Zuha died from asphyxiation – lack of oxygen which arises from strangulation.

Scene of Crime Officer, Sariyya said that Zuha had bruising on her neck, and had dirt on her feet.

Meanwhile, Staff Sergeant Mohamed Ashraf – who analyzed CCTV footage recovered from the area – said that he could not say for certain that it was the defendant – Bangladeshi expatriate Sumon Mia – seen in the CCTV footage, but said that the man seen on the footage had four similar features to Sumon.

Ashraf also said that he could not say for certain whether the woman seen on the footage was Zuha, but that the woman shared one similar feature with Zuha.

Sumon asked for legal representation, which was granted by Judge Ibrahim Ali.

Judge Ibrahim also said that he would try to expedite the trial, as was the request of Sumon.

Zuha was found dead on the alleyway near H. Laalukuri, Male’ on January 7.

Sumon confessed during interrogation that he killed Zuha in a disagreement which arose between them, after they had sex.

He said in court that the disagreement had arose due to something which happened while they had sex, and after Zuha demanded more money from him.