Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem has revealed that the murder case of Shiau Mohamed has been on hold at Criminal Court because the accused, Ali Shahil has not been cooperating with state-assigned lawyers.

Shiau was found murdered in an apartment on the 9th floor of H. Sheereenvilla in August 2022.

Speaking at a press conference held by the Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) on Monday, PG Shameem said that the state had appointed a lawyer to Shahil three times.

"As far as I am aware, this case has not proceeded due to Shahil not cooperating with the lawyers assigned on behalf of the accused. He hasn't spoken to his lawyers. So even if the state appoints lawyers, and we have been informed that now three lawyers have been appointed by the state, he has refused to talk to a lawyer," PG Shameem said.

He said the lawyers had even gone to jail to meet Shahil, but he did not want to say anything and he did not know why Shahil was not speaking to the lawyers.

PG Shameem said that if Shahil did not want lawyers even after the state appointed lawyers, he would not be able to appoint a lawyer forcefully. PG expressed hope that the case would continue even if there was a shortage.

Shiau's murder case is being conducted in secrecy by the criminal court, after PG sought secrecy in the case.

Shahil has not exercised his right to speak during any of the hearings in the case. He did not plead guilty to the crime when the chargesheet was filed against him.

Shahil has been charged with five counts of criminal intimidation, murder with a sharp object and four other charges under Section 5 of the Unlawful Activities Act, 2016, which prohibits the use of dangerous weapons and sharp objects.

Of these, the PG office did not provide information about the two additional charges, including possession of pornography and the use of cannabis. The decision not to disclose the charges was taken as a mark of respect to Shiau's family.

In the case of Shiau's murder, the police arrested Ali Sahil from the apartment where Shiau was murdered.