Attack on ex-PG: responding to charges scheduled for next hearing

A hearing in the case of the attack on former Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem, has been held at the Criminal Court.

The hearing took place on Thursday.

During this hearing, the presiding judge reminded the defendants of their rights.

The state has sought a protective order for evidence in connection with the case, including two intelligence reports related to the case, the investigator's statement, and bank statements.

The state has requested that sensitive information in the intelligence reports that could affect the investigation and investigation methods be removed, and then for the court to arrange for the defendants to view these reports.

In addition to this, the state has requested that each defendant’s bank statement be issued to them.

The defense did not object to these requests.

The presiding judge issued a protective order for the evidence as requested by the state.

The next hearing will involve the process of clarifying the charges in this case and the defendants responding to the charges.

Judge Ibrahim Ihsan is presiding over the case at the Criminal Court.

Charges were sought against those accused of being involved in the assault on Shameem in mid-August.

Maldives Police Service (MPS) wrapped up the investigation into the case and forwarded the chargesheet to the Prosecutor General’s Office (PG Office) on August 18. The charges were filed at the court on August 22.

Seven individuals were arrested in connection with the case, which was investigated as an attempted murder case. They have been charged with attempted murder.

The accused are currently behind bars, pending the end of their trial. The two individuals who were initially arrested for assaulting Shameem were jailed pending the end of their trial, in early February.

The state has charged the seven suspects for planning the attack on Shameem, attempting to attack him on the head with a dangerous weapon near Noor Mosque in the capital city while Shameem was on the street at around 07:42am on January 31, as well as injuring Shameem’s wrist during the assault and those who waited in a car until the attack was completed having left the area with the attackers after the assault.

MPS has confirmed that the attack was carried out using a weapon.

Shameem was treated for injuries to his arm at ADK Hospital. Shameem’s security was strengthened in the wake of the attack.

The assault on the former PG was filed with the People’s Majlis Committee on National Security Services or the 241 committee on 31 January 2024.

The case lodged at the 241 Committee sought to carry out a thorough and swift investigation into the way MPS is probing the case.

The PG Office condemned the assault on Shameem, in the strongest terms.