Taxi driver’s murder case: suspect given more time to appoint lawyer

Suspect charged over taxi driver Gasim Hassan’s murder is requesting additional time to appoint legal representation.

While the preliminary hearing in the trial was held on Sunday, the suspect was questioned on why he was present without a lawyer.

21-year-old Mohamed Adham had noted difficulties in appointing a lawyer, adding that he is kept “in a pigeon hole”. He is to have requested to move ahead without a lawyer and asked to be provided all documents related to the case.

The presiding judge asked Adham if he required time to appoint a lawyer, to which he reiterated intent to represent himself in court.

Hence, the judge carried out with the hearing, and made arrangements for all case documents to be handed over to the suspect, to be delivered to him via the Maldives Correctional Service (MCS) later on Sunday.

While state prosecutors had highlighted some points in the case at the hearing, Adham requested time to appoint a lawyer.

The judge decided to allow this, and rescheduled the hearing.

The last hearing in the case was held on October 1, where the suspect sought to appoint own lawyer rather than go ahead with one appointed by state; he was given five days to do so.

Adham detailed his actions and how the murder was carried out, and repeatedly confessed to every detail during a hearing in February. While he was asked whether there was any coercion by the presiding judge, Adham stated that he made the confession on his own free will.

He confessed to never having “intended to kill Gasim” but merely to “rob him”. As such, Adham claimed then that he attacked Gasim in a state of intoxication. When questioned if he was intoxicated under the influence of another party, he refuted it.

Following his confession, the initial sentence of 25-years was reduced to a 17-year and 6-month prison sentence, and a fast-track hearing was scheduled.

At the hearing, the suspect claimed that he was not of sound mind when the confessions were made, accusing the police of intoxicating him by providing everything; he noted that he was under police's custody during these hearings.

Adham was arrested on December 19, after Gasim’s dead body was discovered lying face-down in a puddle of blood on the road in Hulhumalé on December 4.

Police earlier confirmed that Adham has a long criminal history including theft and cases related to drugs.

Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem had earlier assured that they have enough evidence to convict him even if he retracts his confession, adding that “things will only be worse for the suspect” if he does so.