Policeman suspected of child abuse arrested

A police seargent who has been accused of abusing two children has been arrested. 

The man suspected was arrested yesterday and has been remanded in custody for 15 days by the court. "The suspected individual is an employee of the Maldives Police Service", Police have confirmed in a statement.

The issue was first brought to public notice around May 27, this year. Police have stated that it is being currently investigated by the Professional Standards Committee and the Family and Child Protection Department. 

A case regarding the officer was first reported in October of 2018 and he was accused of abusing a small boy. However, police had stated that there was a lack of evidence against the officer at that time. The officer was once again in the spotlight when another case of him abusing another boy was raised on March 27, 2019.

The officer was on a no-pay leave in Sri Lanka when the two cases were reported.