Seven-year prison term for knife attack on man taking a shower

The Criminal Court has issued a seven-year prison sentence against a man for attacking a person at a residence in Male’ City last year.

The knife attack took place at around 07:30 pm on August 16, 2023, in M. Arutha Villa.

According to the prosecution, Ahmed Visham (Irudheymaage, R. Rasgetheemu) had been taking a shower at Arutha Villa when Ahmed Nabeel (M. Golden Leaf, K. Male’) dragged him out of the bathroom and attacked him with a knife, slashing his forehead and back.

Nabeel was charged with assault with a sharp-edged weapon.

Nabeel denied the charge against him, and claimed he had not been at Arutha Villa at the time of the crime. He produced two witnesses – who the prosecution successfully petitioned to dismiss - and a video and image analysis report as evidence.

The prosecution submitted the same report, a medicolegal report and witnesses, including a secret witness.

Visham also testified at the trial.

He told the court that he had been taking a shower when he heard someone make a phone call and invite someone to come over. He said that Nabeel and two other men – including the one he heard make the phone – then forced open the bathroom door. Nabeel then put a knife against his throat and snatched two silver necklaces, a bracelet and a watch he had been wearing. He then attacked Visham’s forehead and back with the knife, before fleeing the scene with his accomplices.

Visham said that he rushed out of the house and was looking for help when he ran into police officers, who took him to the Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH).

He also told the officers that it had been Nabeel who attacked him.

None of the prosecution’s witnesses testified to seeing the attack. However, the testimony of the secret witness corroborated the victim’s statement. The secret witnesses testified that Nabeel and two other men when to the house and threatened to attack Visham. He also testified to seeing Visham in a wounded state after the three left, and that he told the witness that it had been Nabeel who attacked him. The witness also testified to seeing Visham leave the house after the incident.

Video snapshots submitted by the police showed Nabeel and his accomplices entering the alley where the house is located at the time of the crime.

The judge ruled on Wednesday that though none of the witnesses testified to witnessing the attack itself, the victim’s testimony along with other corroborative evidence probe the charge against Nabeel beyond reasonable doubt.

The charge against Nabeel carries a prison sentence of 7-10 years.

Nabeel appealed the judge for the minimum sentence.

The judge, citing lack of objection from the prosecution and the non-life-threatening nature of the injuries Visham sustained, sentenced Nabeel to 7 years in prison.