Maamendhoo rape victim in severe mental distress; one arrested

One suspect has been arrested in the gang rape of the 18-year-old woman which took place in G. A. Maamendhoo last Friday night.

A police media official announced this Saturday that the police are investigating the sexual assault of a woman in G. A. Maamendhoo reported to the authority at 11:30 pm last Friday.

The official said a suspect in the case was arrested under court order the same night, but disclosed no further details.

Both the Maamendhoo Council and the family of the victim have reported to “Sun” that the young woman was gang raped.

The 18-year-old woman is originally from Addu City, but is married to a local.

The brother of the young woman spoke to “Sun” this Saturday morning, and said his sister was raped at approximately 9 pm on Saturday night. He said the rapists intercepted her on her way from a shop, dragged her to the beach and proceeded to gang rape her there.

The brother said the young woman was raped by a group of four men.

The family said the Gemanafushi Health Center confirmed she was sexually assaulted, and said the young man is mentally and physically traumatized from the assault.

“She has nail marks all over her body. More than that, she is severely mentally traumatized. She starts trembling every time she sees someone. She hasn’t ventured out of her room since the assault,” said the brother.