Shahban charged over fire incident in Hiyaaroadhige
CCTV footage shows a man arriving on a Wave motorcycle about seven minutes before the fire, parking it and entering the house.
Hussain Shahban, who was arrested on charges of arson in Hiyaaroadhige in Male', has been referred to the Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) for prosecution, police said Monday.
A fire broke out in Hiyaaroadhige on 18 March. Shahban, 29, of Sabnam house, L. Maabaidhoo, was arrested five days later, on 23 March.
Police said the investigation had been completed and the case was forwarded to the PGO on Thursday. Shahban has been remanded in custody pending trial.
The house was unoccupied and had no electricity at the time of the incident. The fire started while the premises were being cleaned.
CCTV footage shows a man arriving on a Wave motorcycle about seven minutes before the fire, parking it and entering the house. Police allege the man is Shahban.
Residents said the house contained furniture, which may have contributed to the spread of the fire.
“It is believed that it was set on fire. There will be no roll there by mistake,” a resident told Dhauru at the time.
The fire was brought under control after more than an hour. The house was destroyed, and nearby buildings were also affected.
