Former Deputy PG agreed as Defense lawyer of Ibthihaal

Former Deputy Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem has been agreed as the defense lawyer of Afiya Mohamed, who has been arrested over the death of Ibthihaal Mohamed, her son, due to suspected abuse. Shameem has taken up the case without charge.

Shameem, who is also the legal consultant of Legal Sector Resource Center (LSRC) of Attorney General’s Office on Monday said to Sun Online that he has agreed to be the defense lawyer of Ibthihaal’s mother to facilitate conduction of a fair trial on her. He noted that the accused cannot be given “death penalty in hurry”.

According to the Constitution, state must appoint defense lawyers if suspects who have committed serious crimes are not affordable to get legal aid.

Since Ibthihaal’s mother is not affordable, she has requested the state to get legal aid.

Shameem has been a lawyer registered in the volunteer lawyer’s registry. Shameem said that he was given the opportunity to become the defense lawyer of Ibthihaal’s mother from Attorney General’s Office.

Shameem, who is at Haa Dhaalu Kulhudhuffushi at the moment said that, after coming back, he will meet Ibthihaal’s mother and will start to study the case. He said that he has already talked with police officers who are investigating the case.