The High Court of Maldives has overturned the prison sentences handed down to Ismail Haisham Rasheed and Ahmed Zihan Ismail in connection with the murder of blogger Yameen Rasheed.

Six individuals were charged with the intentional murder of Yameen Rasheed using a sharp object following his killing in April 2017. Among those charged were Ismail Haisham Rasheed and Ahmed Zihan Ismail, along with four others. The Criminal Court previously found Haisham guilty of planning the murder and Zihan guilty of participating in the attack, sentencing both to life imprisonment.

Haisham and Zihan appealed their convictions at the High Court. After reviewing the case, the High Court overturned their prison sentences and ordered the matter to be sent back to the Criminal Court for review. The High Court also directed a review of the cases of two other accused individuals.

The High Court instructed the trial court to reassess the testimony of a confidential witness as part of the review process. During the hearing held today, the state requested that Haisham and Zihan be detained until the case is concluded again. However, the judges declined to issue a detention order.

The case is being overseen by a bench comprising Judge Hassan Shafeeu, Justice Fathimath Faruheeza, and Justice Abdul Maniu Hussain.