Criminal Court Extends Remand of 19-Year-Old in Café Hostage and Assault Case by 20 Days

The Criminal Court has extended the remand of a 19-year-old male from GA. Maamendhoo, accused of holding people inside a café and assaulting them, by a further 20 days. The youth faces accusations of battery, intimidation, criminal compulsion and unlawfully holding people. He denies the charges. He was initially remanded for 16 days, and was produced before the court again today upon the expiry of that period. A large amount of evidence has been submitted to the court against the youth, including the statement of the person who was assaulted, their medical report, a photo report showing the injuries sustained by the people, and snapshots of CCTV footage. According to the court order, the youth held people inside a café. The Investigation Officer (IO) cited by the court stated that the victims were threatened that they would be struck with a glass bottle if they did not hand over their phones. The IO also stated that the victim was unlawfully held inside the café for about three hours, and that a video had been made on a phone in a manner that would diminish the victim's dignity and honour in front of people. The youth's lawyer requested the court to release him on conditions. However, the Criminal Court ordered that he be remanded for a further 20 days. That period will expire on the first day of next month.