Supreme Court Upholds Death Sentence for Fareed Over Shuhadh’s Murder

The Supreme Court today upheld the death penalty imposed on Hassan Fareed for the murder of Abdulla Shuhadh during a gang dispute in Fuvahmulah.

In 2015, the Criminal Court sentenced Fareed, of Karankaage, Fuvahmulah, to death for attacking and killing Shuhadh, of Mecko in the same island, during a gang brawl between two neighborhoods in January 2010. 

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After the High Court upheld the conviction and sentencing, Fareed appealed the decision to the Supreme Court.

During the Supreme Court proceedings, statements were taken from Shuhadh’s parents, who reaffirmed their position from lower court proceedings demanding the death penalty (Qisas) for Fareed.

Fareed, who represented himself without legal counsel before the Supreme Court, raised claims of police brutality and procedural defects in the investigation. However, he only raised these points after numerous hearings had concluded and the case was already nearing final completion.

The verdict, delivered by a five-member bench presided over by Chief Justice Abdul Ghanee Mohamed, stated that evidence clearly establishes Shuhadh died from injuries sustained via a sharp weapon, and that all eyewitnesses affirmed Fareed was the assailant. 

In determining intent, the judgment noted that Fareed carried a weapon to the scene to attack Shuhadh, proving premeditation and establishing intent to kill beyond reasonable doubt.

“The testimony presented by the State demonstrates that all witnesses confirmed Fareed stabbed Shuhadh on the right side of his chest. 

Furthermore, the medico-legal report shows Shuhadh died from penetrating chest trauma caused by a sharp weapon wielded by Fareed, establishing a direct causal link between Fareed’s criminal act and Shuhadh’s death,” the verdict read.

“Under the evidentiary standards of Islamic Shariah, the offense of intentional homicide without lawful justification has been proven.”

Accordingly, the judges ruled unanimously to uphold the death sentence against Fareed.