Charges to be levied in suspected murder case despite unconfirmed body

The decision to press charges against Mohamed Nizam for the murder of Bangladeshi national Mohamed Liton has been made, despite DNA tests not yet confirming if the body found drifting near Vaavu atoll Fenvaru was indeed Liton's.

The decision was made as there are some legal grounds to press charges against the accused.

Nizam, 45, from Gaafu Dhaalu Thinadhoo, and Liton, 35, were reported missing at sea on December 27, 2022, one day after departing from Vilimalé on a fuel boat.

While the search for both men were underway, a photo surfaced on social media showing Nizam in Male'. He was subsequently arrested under a court order on suspicion of murder. The Criminal Court ordered Nizam's detention on January 4 for two months.

The decision to press charges against Mohamed Nizam for the murder of Bangladeshi national Mohamed Liton was made, despite DNA tests not yet confirming if the body found drifting near Vaavu atoll Fenvaru was indeed Liton's.

The Criminal Court ordered Nizam's detention on January 4 for two months.While the investigation into Liton's death is ongoing, the case has been submitted for duty prosecution at the Prosecutor General's Office (PGO). Duty prosecution involves the exchange of information between the PGO and the investigating authority before the case is officially filed for prosecution.

Although the charges against Nizam have yet to be decided, the PGO has stated that it will soon file charges against him and submit them to the court.

While the search for Liton was in progress, a body was found drifting in the sea near Vaavu atoll. While DNA tests have been done on the body, preliminary results have not confirmed whether it is Liton's body.

Even if the body found at sea is not confirmed to be Liton's, charges can still be pressed against Nizam due to past court rulings that hold the last person to see a missing person accountable in such cases.

Police allege that Nizam murdered Liton over a monetary dispute between them.

After the fuel boat was found floating near Hulhulé, it was discovered that Nizam, who was thought to be on board, was actually in Malé as seen in the background of a selfie posted on social media.

While efforts are still being made to confirm if the body found at sea is Liton's, the PGO has decided to press charges against Nizam based on evidence available. The investigation into Liton's death is ongoing.