Liton likely to have been murdered; Nizam to be charged with murder

On Sunday, Prosecutor General (PG) Hussain Shameem revealed that efforts were underway to press three charges including murder with intention against Mohamed Nizam, 45, Manaaru, GDh. Thinadhoo in connection to the death of Mohamed Liton, 35, Bangladesh, who was reported missing after departing from Vilimale’ on a fuel barge on December 28. 

Nizam and Liton were reported missing after departing from Vilimale’ on a fuel boat on December 28. The barge was found adrift off Hulhule’ the next day.

On January 2nd, Twitter user posted a selfie with one of the missing men - Nizam - at a café in Male’ City. The police, who had been searching for the missing men via sea, expanded their search to Male’. He was arrested under court order on January 3rd, on suspicion of murder. In a remand hearing held behind closed doors at the request of police – Criminal Court remanded Nazim in police custody for 60 days.

Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, PG Shameem said that although Liton’s body had not been recovered – Nazim’s figure of speech alongside other evidence points towards Liton’s death. Therewith, he said that efforts were underway to press three charges against him; murder with intention, theft and dealing drugs.

PG Shameem detailed that Nizam was in possession of drugs when he was arrested while he is also suspected of stealing money kept aboard the fuel barge.

Nizam has a criminal record of drug abuse and misdemeanors such as petty theft and robbery.

When PG Shameem was questioned on the legalities of determining Liton’s death without a body – he explained the main reason behind the murder with intention charge instead of voluntary manslaughter as there is sufficient evidence to prove the elements of a murder with intention.

“We will establish that his actions can lead to the murder of a person in court. That no other results can be produced from his actions. There are rules laid down by the Supreme Court in Najah’s case including the last witness to see the victim alive among others. We will be following this precedent in addition to practices of other nations,” he said.

PG Shameem, underscoring that enough evidence has been secured to prove the charges at court, expressed confidence of winning the case by referencing Supreme Court precedents.