United Nations (UN) has called on the Government to delay implementing the death penalty on Hussain Humam of H. Lobby and to re-try him in compliance with international standards. The death penalty verdict was issued on Humam for the first degree murder charges of the late Parliamentarian Dr. Afrasheem Ali.
The statement released by UN, stated the criminal process "did not afford him guarantees of fair trial and due process" and therefore must be retried in compliance with international standards. The statement said "the Maldives Supreme Court upheld the conviction and death sentence on 24 June, while the investigation was still ongoing, and that the accusation and the murder verdict was based on a pre-trial confession obtained under duress".
The Supreme Court had upheld the verdict, while Dr. Afrasheem's next of kin had sent a letter asking to delay implementing the verdict. However, the Supreme Court refused to accept the letter stating that letters must be sent at official hours.
The Government had said that death penalty will be implemented within 30 days. Corrections had said that they had begun preparations to implement the death penalty but will not be able to complete all procedures within the mandated 30 days.
