Testimony in 2022 Shiau murder to conclude in 2 months

The Criminal Court has scheduled the completion of testimony in the murder case of Shiau Mohamed Saeed within the next two months.

Shiau, 22, was found dead on 6 August 2022 in an apartment on the ninth floor of H. Sheereen Villa, Malé. His friend and roommate, Ali Sahil, was arrested at the scene the same night.

Sahil, now 28, faces charges of intentional killing with a sharp object, possession of nude materials, use of cannabis, and two confidential charges.

Hearings in the case began in January 2023 and have been conducted in secret. The prosecution is currently presenting its witnesses. A session scheduled for Tuesday to hear two witnesses was cancelled because Sahil did not appear in court. The testimonies will now be taken alongside those of confidential witnesses scheduled for 14 September.

The prosecution has 35 witnesses remaining, whose testimony will be completed in six hearings over the next two months. Once testimony concludes, the court will proceed to summary statements before delivering a verdict.

Sahil has denied the charges and informed the court last year that he would present defence evidence. However, the Criminal Court confirmed that he has not submitted any evidence so far. He also denied statements given during the investigation and requested that they not be admitted to trial.

The case has faced delays due to Sahil’s lack of cooperation with his assigned lawyers. He first addressed the court in September 2023, saying he wished to proceed without legal representation.

Shiau’s body was sent to India for post-mortem examination, which confirmed severe injuries inflicted after death.

At an earlier press conference, then Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem said Sahil had not pleaded guilty to any of the charges but maintained that sufficient evidence existed to pursue a conviction.