- Hana has admitted to playing an active role in the murder of Najeeb
- Sentence delivered many days after hearings
- Appeal filed by Hana
High Court has supported the Criminal Court the death penalty ruling on Fathimath Hana, of Rihaab Sh. Goidhoo, on the murder of lawyer Ahmed Najeeb.
Hana was initially sentenced by Criminal Court on July 19, 2012.
She had filed for appeal in High Court following the verdict. The verdict was passed weeks after the hearings were concluded, with the Criminal Court passing to implement death penalty on Hana. High Court ruling today said both evidence and statements from Hana had proven beyond reasonable doubt that she had been implicitly involved in the murder of prominent lawyer Najeeb.
Judges Shujau Usman, Ali Sameer, Abdullah Didi, Abdullah Hameed, and Abdu Rauf Ibrahim were on the bench that reviewed the case today. The High Court bench reviewing the case had changed twice.
State prosecutor Adam Arif said that based on the case, it had been proven that Hana played an active role both in planning and carrying out the murder. As such, the murder was planned by Hana and her lover Ahmed Muhrath a month before and that the murder had proceeded as planned. He added that Hana had tied up Najeeb to a chair and that she had admitted to doing so. Arif said that therefore, Hana's actions had directly contributed to the death of the lawyer.
Hana's lawyer said they had no additional points to note, other than what was specified in the case.
In addition to Hana, Ahmed Murrath had also been charged with first degree murder. Lawyer Najeeb was murdered in a room in M. Masrooraage.
