A 46-year-old man, Mohammed Aiyaz Ahmed, has been sentenced to mandatory life imprisonment by the High Court for the brutal murder of his wife in Drasa Lautoka back in 2019. In addition to the murder charge, Ahmed was also convicted of breaching a domestic violence restraining order (DVRO).
The court heard that the couple experienced significant marital issues, which eventually led them to seek legal protection through a DVRO. A few days before the murder, the victim left their home to stay with her sister, taking their two children with her. She returned on November 19, 2019, without the children, seeking to address their marital issues.
In a horrific act, Ahmed entered her bedroom around 2 a.m. with a knife he had concealed under his mattress. After waking her violently, he fatally slashed her throat and stabbed her multiple times. Following the attack, he attempted to clean himself and disposed of the knife in a nearby well before going to his workplace.
During sentencing, the High Court judge emphasized the deliberate nature of Ahmed’s actions, describing the murder as intentional and marked by extreme violence. The impact on the couple’s children was also noted as likely to be devastating, highlighting the long-lasting consequences of domestic violence on families. The judge asserted that Ahmed’s crime was particularly egregious since it involved a protected person under the DVRO, indicating a blatant disregard for the law.
Ahmed will be eligible for consideration of a pardon only after serving a minimum of 18 years behind bars. This case reinforces the seriousness with which the judicial system regards domestic violence and the imperative to protect victims.
There is a stark reminder in this ruling; it reaffirms society’s commitment to tackling domestic violence and protecting individuals in vulnerable situations. Each conviction sends a strong message to abusers, underlining that justice will be served, and the law will not tolerate such heinous acts. Overall, the focus remains on ensuring that victims receive the support and protection they need to rebuild their lives.
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