The trial of Shiau Mohamed Saeed's murder case will begin on Sunday, the Criminal Court has announced.
The trial proceedings will be held behind closed doors, per the state's request. This is the first instance in the Maldives where a criminal trial would be withheld from the public.
Saahil Ali, a professional skateboarder, was charged for the gruesome murder of Shiau, who was a local musician.
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 the use of cannabis.
The remaining charges were not revealed, claiming it was to protect the rights of the victim’s family.
Shiau was killed and dismembered in an apartment in Malé, on August 6. Saahil was arrested from the scene of the crime. According to the police, the autopsy confirmed that Shiau was murdered, and that her body was desecrated after her death.
The Criminal Court has ordered Saahil to be placed under remand until the end of his trial.
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