Thulusdhoo murder case hearing cancelled

The second hearing of the case against Mohamed Niyaz, 35, scheduled for today, for the murder of Ali Shiham, of Bijilee Ufaa, Kaafu Thulusdhoo, has been cancelled.

Spokesperson for Criminal Court Ahmed Mohamed Manik said that the hearing was cancelled following a request from the Prosecutor General’s Office.

The first hearing of this case was held on 19 August, during which Niyaz confessed to the murder. Recalling the incident on 31 July, he said that he went on his bicycle to the bench by the beach where Shiham was sitting using his phone, first at 6:45 p.m. and again at 7:00 p.m.

He said that he had no intention of killing Shiham when he stabbed him, and that he left the scene hurriedly after the attack.

He said that after the incident, he went home and told his mother, and later also told his girlfriend.

In addition to Niyaz’s confession, the State also requested to present strong evidence against him including statements by five members of his family, and three residents of Thulusdhoo.

The Judge announced that the court will make a decision after hearing those testimonies.

When given the chance to respond to the evidence presented by the State, Niyaz said that the evidence is valid and that he did not wish to deny any of them.

Statements will be presented by Shiham’s heirs at the next hearing.