State presents evidence against person accused of setting fire to house in Hinnavaru

Prosecution has presented evidence against Nihadh Mohamed of Lucky, Lhaviyani Hinnavaru, after he denied the terrorism charges set against him by the State. Nihadh has been accused of setting fire to Bijileege, a house in Lhaviyani Hinnavaru.

Prosecution presented seven witnesses against Nihadh, although none of the witnesses seem to have seen Nihadh set fire to the house.

Prior to presenting the witnesses, prosecution told the court that the purpose of the witnesses testimony was to prove that on the day before the house was set was on fire, Nihadh had bought oil from one of the stores in the island. The prosecution also said that the witnesses would prove that on the day of the fire, a person in the house had ordered Nihadh to leave the house after he entered the house without being permitted.

Charges against Nihadh states that he had set fire to Bijileege on the 31st of August 2011 around 11:30 pm.

Denying the charges, Nihadh told the court today that he had done no such deed, that he does not want legal representation for the trial and that he does not want to present any evidence in his defence.

The judge presiding over today’s hearing said that the case had been prolonged without a hearing as the Police were unable to arrest Nihadh, and ordered the police to keep him in custody until the end of the trial.

Concluding today’s trial, the judge announced that the next hearing will hear the testimony of witnesses.