Zakiyya’s death: Authorities consider police negligence as a factor

Meetings have commenced with the Prosecutor General concerning the possibility of filing charges against police officers who were careless in the investigation of Zakiyya Moosa's case, whose body was discovered with injuries on Holhudhoo island in Noonu atoll.

The National Integrity Commission (NIC) has chosen to ask the Prosecutor General's Office (PG Office) to bring criminal charges against the police officers connected to the investigation of Zakiyya's death. The document provided to the PG Office mentioned that various problems were found during the inquiry by the officers investigating Zakiyya’s death.

These consist of improper conduct in official responsibilities, inappropriate use of an official role, hindrance to justice, and interference with law enforcement as well as other governmental operations.

The PG Office disclosed that the National Integrity Commission looked into the police's actions regarding the investigation of Zakiyya's death case and has raised allegations. They also mentioned that the case is currently at the point of determining whether to file charges. The PG Office also mentioned that they are carefully contemplating filing charges.

Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusaan stated that he thinks there was oversight in the police inquiry into Zakiyya Moosa's demise.

Zakiyya was discovered deceased with wounds on 10 September 2024. Minister Ihusaan acknowledged the police's negligence highlighted by the island community. He also disclosed that certain events occurred because of carelessness.

Due to identified police negligence in the case, the family asked to separate the police from the investigation, undertake a special inquiry concerning the police investigation, and create a special commission for this issue. Nonetheless, the government has yet to reply to the family's appeal.

The family stated that since the very first day, attempts have been made to persuade them and the residents of Holhudhoo that Zakiyya took her own life. The family also stated that the police are consistently attempting to hinder justice.

Moreover, while visiting Noonu atoll, Minister Ihusaan and the then Commissioner of Police Ali Shujau acknowledged police negligence in the case of Zakiyya's death while addressing the public's concerns. Nonetheless, up to now, no measures have been implemented against any careless police officers. It has also come to light that no inquiries have been carried out regarding them either.

It was also pointed out that they misled the family and the public by asserting they had performed a virtual autopsy. There is no actual virtual autopsy report; rather, the police forwarded public questions directed at them during Minister Ihusaan and then-CP Shujau's visit to Noonu Atoll to address public concerns regarding Zakiyya's death case, along with certain requested photos, to select individuals for obtaining responses, and subsequently asserted that they had finalized a virtual autopsy report.

On 10 September 2024, Zakiyya was discovered deceased with wounds. From that point onward, the police have been carrying out an inquiry into the matter. Nonetheless, many have raised issues regarding certain comments made by the police and the manner in which the investigation is being carried out.

During a press conference on 3 December 2024, police announced that doctors determined neck injuries as the reason for Zakiyya's death.