Shiaar murder trial closed to public

Criminal Court has made the decision to close hearings in the murder trial of Hussain Shiaar – stabbed in an act of gang violence in Hithadhoo, Addu City in 2015.

Four men stand trial in Shiaar’s murder:

1. Ismail Rasheed, Handhuvaru, Hithadhoo, Addu City

2. Ali Sam’aan, Chaandhumaage, Hithadhoo, Addu City

3. Mohamed Nifaaz, Onufeenige, Maradhoo, Addu City

4. Mohamed Azaan Ali, Gandhakoalhige, Maradhoo, Addu City

The reason why the court decided to hold closed hearings in the case is unclear. But Criminal Court has recently been holding closed hearings on multiple cases which involve murder.

State prosecution alleges the four men had been in possession of machetes from 9 pm to 9:15 pm on June 15, 2015. And then wore black masks over their faces and attacked Shiaar with the machetes between 10 pm to 10:30 pm later that night.

The first hearing in the case was held in October, 2015, during which all four defendants denied the charges against them.

Shiaar had died from injuries sustained during the attack later that night while receiving treatment at Hithadhoo Regional Hospital.