Man arrested for sexual abuse of young girl in Northern Maldives

A suspect has been arrested for the sexual abuse of a girl under the age of 10 years in Northern Maldives.

Maldives Police Service says the case was reported to the agency at approximately 1:30 pm on Thursday, August 15.

The suspect in the case, identified as a 29-year-old Maldivian male, was arrested by the police on Friday, and has been remanded for 15 days in police custody.

Maldives Police Service says the case is under further investigation, and declined to disclose any case details as it involves a child victim.

Maldives Police Service is also investigating the sexual assault of a 19-year-old woman reported from Th. Veymandhoo on Wednesday, August 14. The victim has identified the assailant as a 31-year-old military sergeant. No arrests have been made in connection to the case.

Records released by Maldives Police Service shows 269 cases of sexual assault and sexual harassment have been reported to the agency so far this year. 58 such cases were reported in July alone, and 19 cases have been reported so far this August.