Hearings end in Shiaau murder case after four years; court to decide guilt next

The Criminal Court has concluded hearings on the charges raised against Ali Shaahil of Finifenmaage, F. Nilandhoo, in connection with the murder of Shiaau Mohamed Saeed.

Shiaau was found decapitated and severely mutilated inside an apartment on the ninth floor of H. Sheereen Villa in Male' City on August 6, 2022, in what remains one of the most gruesome crimes recorded in the Maldives.

Shaahil has been charged with five counts of murder. The hearings were held behind closed doors, and some of the charges have been kept confidential.

The hearings in Shaahil’s case ended last week, concluding with the summary statement hearing. The next stages are the court’s determination on guilt, followed by sentencing if he is convicted.

Shaahil has remained in custody pending trial. He was arrested at the crime scene in connection with Shiaau’s murder.

Police previously said the post‑mortem report showed Shiaau had suffered severe injuries after death, and that the findings indicated she died from wounds inflicted by Shaahil.

Police had earlier stated that Shaahil was not cooperating with the investigation. It was also reported that he did not cooperate during trial proceedings, and the case was later conducted without a lawyer, as he refused to speak to counsel.