Nizar murder suspects allowed to answer charges

Criminal Court has today allowed the three individuals charged with the murder of Ahmed Nizar in Laamu Gan, to submit detailed answers to charges against them.

Ahmed Nizar, from Woodland, Thundi, Laamu Gan, was found dead around 2:23 a.m. on 15 July 2013 on Sinaaee Magu in Laamu Gan. Wooden planks and iron rods used to attack Nizar was found near his body by the police.

The judge presiding over the case, Judge Mujthaz Fahmy, has allowed the three suspects; Ahmed Shujau, 22; Ahmed Sobah, 23; and Hussain Sobir, 22, to submit detailed responses to their charges before the end of working hours on Thursday.

The family of Ahmed Nizar has recently expressed concern over court proceedings and the delay in the court process. Nizar’s father called on the court “to conclude the case as soon as possible.”

The court is required to hold a hearing to allow the defence to answer charges in open court. The next step in the proceedings in Nizar's murder case would be to hear witness testimonies. A number of lawyers have accused that the judge of often delaying the hearing where the defence is allowed to answer for the charges.

Chief Inspector of Police Abdulla Shatheeh, Head of Police Serious and Organized Crime Department has said that a delay in hearing witness testimony in court would make way for intimidation and influencing of witnesses. The Chief Inspector has expressed concern over this practice of intimidation, which he said was prevalent in the country.