Criminal Court acquits men charged in 2017 murder of Nadheem

The Criminal Court has acquitted all four men charged in the 2017 murder of Nadheem Abdul Raheem (Nadey).

Nadheem, 24, HA. Thakandhoo, was stabbed while inside the Terminal Café in Male’ City on July 27, 2017. He died from injuries he sustained in the attack two days later, on July 29, 2017.

Four people were charged in connection to the murder. They are:

• Mohamed Mafaz Hussain Saleem, G. Shaaraaz, K. Male’
• Ali Nifaz, Vidhaathari, L. Gan
• Hussain Shamin, Samantha, R. Innamaadhoo
• Mohamed Karam Suhail, Havaas, GA. Gemanafushi

Charges against a fifth suspect, a minor, was dismissed by the Juvenile Court in 2018.

Mafaz was charged with murder with intent using a sharp-edged weapon, while the other three were charged as accessories.

The Criminal Court issued its ruling in the case on Monday evening.

The court found the evidence was insufficient to prove murder charges against all four defendants.

Some of the state’s witnesses in the case had later recanted their testimonies, while some had refused to give testimony.

Serial gang attacks had taken place in Male’ City after some of the witnesses testified. However, the rumors of a link between the testimony and attacks were never officially confirmed by authorities.