Taxi driver’s murder case: Sunday's hearing cancelled
The suspect was scheduled to meet with his legal representative on Sunday
A previous hearing held at the Criminal Court, in connection to the case
Sunday’s hearing in taxi driver Gasim Hassan’s murder case, has been cancelled.
The Criminal Court revealed that the hearing was cancelled to give the suspect in the case, Adham Mohamed, 21, native to Hinnavaru island in Lhaviyani atoll, a chance to meet with his lawyers as they had an appointment for Sunday.
The last hearing in the case was held on October 11 last year, where the suspect was given additional time to appoint a defense lawyer. Although another hearing was scheduled for November 25 last year, it was cancelled as well.
The 21-year-old is charged with first-degree murder in the trial, under the Act on Prohibiting Threatening and Possession of Dangerous Weapons and Sharp Objects.
On February 12 last year, Adham pleaded guilty for the murder of the taxi driver and a fast-track hearing was held on February 18 last year, where the suspect retracted his confession.
However, Adham had detailed his actions and how the murder was carried out, and repeatedly confessed to every detail during the preliminary hearing in February. While he was asked whether there was any coercion by the presiding judge Ismail Rasheed, Adham had stated that he made the confession on his own free will. Following his confession, the initial sentence of 25-years was reduced to a 17-year and six-month prison sentence.
The 21-year-old later 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 19 December 2019, after Gasim’s dead body was discovered lying face-down in a puddle of blood on the road in Hulhumalé on 4 December 2019.
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.
