19-year-old stabbed to death in Malé

A 19-year-old man died Saturday night while undergoing treatment for stab wounds at the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Malé.

The victim has been identified as Moosa Ahmed from the island of Keyodhoo in Vaavu atoll. He was stabbed along with a 24-year-old man and a minor near the Dhuburi mosque in the Maafanu ward of the capital, the police spokesman said.

The assault was reported at 11:22 pm and the second victim remains hospitalised with injuries at the IGMH.

Three suspects have been arrested in connection with the stabbings. According to local media, the assailants fled the scene and left behind a knife and their two motorbikes.

Saturday night’s fatal stabbing was the sixth murder this year.

Two young men were stabbed to death by masked assailants in late July. The brutal murders of Nadheem Abdul Rahman, 24, and Mohamed Anas, 25, came amid a spike in violent crimes in Malé and led to a man-hunt for 34 suspects.

Several suspects have since been taken into custody. Last week, the police appealed for assistance from the public to locate two 21-year-olds wanted in connection with the second murder.

The murder of Anas, a speedboat captain from Meedhoo in Raa atoll, prompted an outpouring of grief on the island. In early August, hundreds of people clad in black and carrying banners and placards joined family and friends for a protest march demanding justice for the killing.