Man Sentenced to Seven Years After Confessing to Vilimalé Ferry Terminal Machete Attack

A man has been sentenced to seven years in prison after confessing to carrying out a machete attack at the Vilimalé Ferry Terminal in February 2023.

The Criminal Court delivered the verdict last Tuesday, bringing an end to a case that had been ongoing for nearly three years.

The incident took place on the afternoon of 14 February 2023 at the Vilimalé Ferry Terminal, where a man was attacked and injured with a machete. Authorities launched an investigation shortly after the assault.

Police later arrested Mohamed Shafeeq, from Janbureezugasdhoshuge in Gaafu Dhaalu Gadhdhoo, on 10 March 2023. He had remained in custody since his arrest.

Shafeeq was charged by the state with assault using a sharp object. During much of the trial, he denied involvement in the attack, claiming he had not been present at the scene at the time of the incident. Defence witnesses were also presented to support his alibi.

However, during the closing statement stage of the proceedings earlier this month, Shafeeq changed his plea and admitted to committing the offence, requesting leniency from the court following his confession.

Presiding Judge Muzammil Nasir delivered the final ruling on 10 March 2026, sentencing Shafeeq to seven years in prison. The court ruled that the three years he had already spent in pre-trial detention would be deducted from the sentence.

As a result, Shafeeq will serve the remaining four years of his sentence in prison.