Shuhadh’s parents reiterate demand for death penalty against son’s killer, Fareedh

The parents of Abdulla Shuhadh, who was killed in a violent altercation in Fuvahmulah City, have testified before the Supreme Court, reiterating their demand for death penalty against Hassan Fareedh, who was convicted of the murder.

Criminal Court sentenced Hassan Fareedh of Karankaage, Fuvahmulah, to death in 2015 for the murder of Shuhaadh, of Mekoa, Fuvahmulah, who killed in January 2010 during a confrontation between groups from two neighborhoods on the island.

After the High Court upheld the verdict, Fareedh appealed the case to the Supreme Court. A hearing in the appeal held on Thursday morning was attended by Shuhaadh’s parents via video conference from Fuvahmulah. During the hearing, reaffirmed their demand for Qisas, as the punishment for their son’s killing.

Before the heirs’ statements were taken, the presiding justice asked Fareedh whether he wished to address the victim’s family. He replied that he had nothing to say to them.

The case has remained before the Supreme Court for more than five years. Although proceedings had previously neared completion, a change in the composition of the presiding bench prompted a start over. The presiding bench is now headed by Chief Justice Abdul Ghani Mohamed.

Moreover, proceedings were recently stalled due to hearing difficulties experienced by Fareedh. He participated in Thursday’s hearing with the assistance of a hearing aid.

The Criminal Court handed down the death sentence in the case on May 13, 2015. It was subsequently appealed to the High Court in June 2015 and has been before by the Supreme Court since 2017.

Shuhadh died on the night of January 28, 2010, while receiving medical treatment for stab wounds sustained during altercation.