Death sentence on a “coerced confession” prompts concern
The high court has sentenced a man to death based on a murder confession he had retracted in court, prompting concern that the verdict heralds a return to the tradition of confession-based sentencing, instead of building cases on solid evidence.
09 Dec 2015, 9:00 AM
In late November, the high court sentenced a man to death based on a murder confession he had retracted in court, prompting concern that the verdict heralds a return to a tradition of confession-based sentencing, instead of building cases on solid evidence.
Mohamed Nabeel was accused of throwing a box cutter at a man who was alleged to have sexually harassed his sister in March 2009. The blade penetrated Abdulla Farhad’s lungs, caused internal bleeding and led to his death, according to doctors.
During the police interrogation, Nabeel who did not have legal representation confessed to throwing the blade at Farhad. His sister, 16 years at the time, also said she had seen him throw the blade.
However, in court, both Nabeel and his sister retracted their confession. Nabeel’s lawyer said he was coerced into confessing.
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