Trial begins against two suspects charged with Ziyadam

The trial against the two suspects charged with the murder of Ali Ziyadam, 29, is under way.

Ziyadam died after being stabbed at around 10:30 a.m. on 20 March 2015.

The suspects are Mohamed Shanoon, 24; and Ali Sifam, 29.

Presenting the charges, the State Prosecutor said that Shanoon and Sifam stabbed Ziyadam on the thigh with an 8-inch blade knife, while he was walking near Vaguthee Hiya in Laamu Mundoo at around 10:30 p.m. on 20 March 2015.

Shanoon and Sifam then chased Ziyadam and stabbed him again, the State Prosecutor said.

The State has charged Shanoon and Sifam with murder using a sharp object.

In addition to the murder charge, Shanoon has also been charged with intimidation and assault.

The intimidation charge follows an incident on 20 March 2015, when Shanoon threatened Mohamed Nizar near the Health Post in Mundoo.

Shanoon is charged with assault after he assaulted Abdulla Shifau while he was carrying Ziyadam’s body, following the stabbing, to the Health Post.

The defendants did not present their defence at today’s trial, instead, they both requested to be allowed to appoint lawyers to represent them in court.

The judge adjourned the trial after granting them three days to appoint lawyers.

The next hearing has been scheduled for Sunday.