Sahil's trial: Witness testimonies to be completed within two months

Criminal Court has said that the collection of witness testimonies in the trial of Sahil Ali accused of murdering and mutilating Shiau Mohamed Saeed in Male' will be concluded within two months.

Sahil, from Finifenmaage, F. Nilandhoo, faces five charges over the killing, which took place inside a house in Male' in August 2023.

A hearing scheduled for today was cancelled. It had been set for the testimony of two witnesses, but prosecutors requested their statements be taken together with secret witnesses during the next hearing on September 14.

The court said a total of 35 witnesses will testify across six scheduled hearings.

Sahil has refused to cooperate with state appointed defence lawyers on multiple occasions.

The Attorney General’s Office has since declined to assign him further legal counsel, and he has chosen to represent himself. The court has previously ruled he is not too incapacitated to answer charges.

Criminal Court has also kept the specific charges against Sahil confidential, unlike other closed-door cases where charges against the accused are typically disclosed.