The Criminal Court today granted Saahil Ali, accused of brutally murdering a woman inside a house in Malé last year, the opportunity to appoint a lawyer at state expense.
Saahil was arrested in August last year from the scene of the crime for the murder of Fuvahmulah citizen Shiau Mohamed Saeed. The trial proceedings will be held behind closed doors.
The Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) said the court had given Saahil the opportunity to appoint a lawyer at state expense at the first hearing of the case held this morning.
According to the Constitution, people who cannot afford to hire a lawyer in major criminal cases must be provided with lawyers at state expense. The accused's financial stability are examined under criteria's set by the Attorney General's Office.
The Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) filed five charges against Saahil; however, the state publicly disclosed only three of these charges. They include murder with intent using a sharp object, possession of pornographic material, and use of cannabis.
The remaining charges were not revealed, claiming it was to protect the rights of the victim’s family.
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