HAVEERU DAILY NEWS ARTICLE 14 March  2004

http://www.haveeru.com.mv/?page=details&id=23927

Quick Translation

LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR 18 YEAR-OLD DRUG DEALER
14 March  2004

Adam Haleem

The Juvenile Court gave a verdict of life imprisonment today to a boy of 18 for the offense of keeping narcotics to sell.

Juvenile Court Judge Abdulla Didi passed a ruling of life imprisonment on Shaneez Hashim of Guldastaa-ge of Hitadoo Island of Seenu Atoll under Artcile 2(d) of  Law number 17/77, the Narcotics Act.

The State pressed charges against Shaneez for throwing a bag that had 106 packets of heroin out of his bag on his way to the Island Office of Guraidoo Island of Kaafu Atoll. He was summoned to the Island Office on suspicion that he and two other young people were carrying drugs on the ferry "Misraab 2" traveling to Guraidoo on 12 August last year. The case was proven by the court on the evidence of witnesses.

The bag containing the heroin packets thrown out by Shaneez had a weight of 20.03 grams. When Shaneez perpetuated this act he was 17 years old. When the verdict was passed on him today his age is 18 years.

If the accused has not reached 18 years the person is legally considered a minor in the Maldives.

The Unit for the Rights of Children said that they cannot comment on a verdict passed by the Juvenile Court. However, given the fact that when the incident took place Shaneez Hashim was a minor and that he became 18 in January this year, there was some confusion in the case the Unit said. The Unit said it was studying the issue. 

ENDS

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