A man has been convicted on rape charges after his wife died of injuries sustained due to sexual and domestic injuries inflicted by him.
Ziyaaadha Naeem from GDh. Thinadhoo died at state-run IGMH in capital Male’ on December 28, 2015 while receiving treatment for injuries received due to her husband’s attacks.Four charges were raised against Ali Shah, GDh Thinadhoo, which includes posession of pornographic material and charges negligent manslaughter in addition to rape charges, and the Criminal Court had ruled that he was not guilty of the charges during March this year. The state then appealed the case at the High Court, claiming that the Criminal Court had not taken into consideration any of the evidence presented against Shah. Appeal hearings on all charges are currently ongoing.
The High Court on Thusday found Shah guilty of marital rape and sentenced him to three years in jaul. The verdict delivered by the upper court said the maximum penalty for the crime under the Maldivian law is three years. This is the first time in the Maldives that a person has been convicted and sentenced over marital rape.
After the verdict was delivered, Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem posted a tweet describing the verdict as a massive victory. Marital rape is now recognised both by the court system as well as in the law, said the PG.
