Two Bangladeshi nationals have been found guilty by the Criminal Court of the 2019 murder of Luthufar, a Bangladeshi crew member aboard the boat Kurimagu in Shaviyani Atoll.

The two convicted men, Alamin and Noorul Islam, were charged with intentional murder. A third accused, M.D. Akhtar, died in custody before the trial concluded.

Delivering the verdict, Judge Ahmed Shafiu said the defendants' confessions were made voluntarily and without coercion. The statements detailed how Luthufar was strangled by holding his nose and neck before his body was placed in a bag and dumped into the sea.

Luthufar's body remained missing for an extended period and, when recovered, only skeletal remains were found. The court accepted DNA evidence linking the remains to his parents and children in Bangladesh, describing it as strong judicial evidence confirming the victim's identity.

The judge also stated that although Luthufar was residing in the Maldives without legal documentation, Islamic law guaranteed his right to life and his immigration status could not justify his killing.

The court will next hear statements from Luthufar's heirs before sentencing. The state said arrangements would be made for his relatives in Bangladesh to participate in the proceedings.