The Criminal Court has once more declared Mohamed Samah guilty of killing a police officer in K. Kaashidhoo, after a retrial mandated by the Supreme Court.

The matter involves the 2012 murder of Sergeant Adam Haleem, who was stationed in Kaashidhoo at that moment. Samah, a resident of the area, was first found guilty and given a death sentence in 2013. The High Court confirmed the decision, but later the Supreme Court decided that the case needed to be reconsidered.

In its decision, the Supreme Court panel, which included Justice Husnu Al-Suood, former Justice Dr. Azmiralda Zahir, Justice Aishath Shujoon Mohamed, former Justice Mahaz Ali Zahir, and Justice Dr. Mohamed Ibrahim, concluded that a conviction cannot depend solely on a confession unless the statements are established beyond a reasonable doubt. The court observed that although Samah acknowledged the assault, he asserted he had no intention of killing the officer.

The bench directed the Criminal Court to carry out a complete retrial and assess if evidence was present beyond Samah’s confession. Following the conclusion of the retrial, the Criminal Court has once more deemed Samah guilty. His sentencing is anticipated later this week.

Police report that Sergeant Haleem was assaulted while trying to take Samah to the police station, since Samah had breached the terms of house arrest. Samah's defense argues that the assault was not meant to be lethal.