Criminal Court Reimposes Death Sentence in Kaashidhoo Police Murder Retrial

The Criminal Court has for a second time sentenced Mohamed Samah to death following his conviction in the fatal stabbing of police sergeant Adam Haleem in Kaafu Kaashidhoo.

The verdict comes after a retrial ordered by the Supreme Court, which in 2024 quashed Samah’s earlier convictions. He had previously been found guilty of homicide by the Criminal Court in 2014 and again by the High Court in 2020.

According to case details, the incident occurred on 23 July 2012 while Sergeant Haleem was on duty. He had been attempting to escort Samah—who was under house arrest at the time—into a residence when the attack took place. Prosecutors said Samah stabbed the officer during the encounter. Haleem later died from his injuries.

The Prosecutor General’s Office stated that a hearing was held last Thursday to allow testimony from the victim’s family prior to sentencing. Haleem’s parents and wife reiterated their request for the death penalty, consistent with their earlier position in the case.

In a statement, the Prosecutor General’s Office noted that any implementation of the death sentence would be subject to further legal proceedings, including review by the Supreme Court.

ނޫސް ބަޔާން: ސާޖަންޓު އާދަމް ޙަލީމްގެ ޤާޠިލު، ކ. ކާށިދޫ، ސުވާސާގެ، މުޙައްމަދު ސަމާޙު މެރުމަށް ކްރިމިނަލް ކޯޓުން ޙުކުމްކުރުން

އިތުރަށް ވިދާޅުވުމަށް: https://t.co/0XZv8UyWse pic.twitter.com/dM7wYWHZyC

— Prosecutor General’s Office (@PGO_MV) April 2, 2026

At the time of his death, Sergeant Haleem had served in the Maldives Police Service for seven years and five months. He was posthumously promoted in recognition of his service.

Since 2012, 23 July has been observed annually as Police Memorial Day in his honour, and a police building has been named after him.