PG Office to appeal Yunan’s release

Prosecutor General’s Office (PG Office), on Sunday, said they will be appealing the release of local actor Mohamed Yunan who has been charged with multiple counts of child abuse.

Yunan and his wife Fathimath Rihula are accused of sexually abusing multiple children in their family on multiple occasions, spanning 2019 and 2020. 

They were both remanded in custody pending the outcome of their trials on October 14, 2020.

While Rihula was transferred to home confinement in March of this year – Criminal Court ordered Yunan’s release on Thursday.

PG Office’s spokesperson and public prosecutor Ahmed Shafeeu said the office is prepared to appeal the Criminal Court's order with the High Court on Monday. 

The trial of the couple is presently ongoing and is near an end.

 Yunan was pressed with nine charges while Rihula was pressed with five charges.

CHARGES AGAINST YUNAN:

• Two counts of exhibiting the commission of a sexual act to a child while in a position of trust under Article 12 (b) of Special Provisions Act to Deal with Child Sex Abuse Offenders, with reference to Article 12 (a) of the Act
• Two counts of causing a child to engage in a sexual activity while in a position of trust under Article 10 (b) of Special Provisions Act to Deal with Child Sex Abuse Offenders, with reference to Article 10 (a) of the Act
• Two counts of engaging in a sexual activity in the presence of a child while in a position of trust under Article 11 (b) of Special Provisions Act to Deal with Child Sex Abuse Offenders, with reference to Article 11 (a) of the Act
• One count of engaging in a sexual act with a child of a person’s family under Article 23 (b) of Special Provisions Act to Deal with Child Sex Abuse Offenders, with reference to Article 15 (a) and Article 23 (a) of the Act
• Two counts of possession of pornographic material under Article 622 (e) (ii) of the Penal Code with reference to Article 622 (a) (vii)

Yunan faces 110 to 133 years in prison if found guilty of all charges.

CHARGEG AGAINST RIHULA

• One count of engaging in a sexual act with a child while in a position of trust under Article 23 (b) of Special Provisions Act to Deal with Child Sex Abuse Offenders, with reference to Article 9 (a) and Article 23 (a) of the Act
• Two counts of engaging in a sexual activity in the presence of a child while in a position of trust under Article 11 (b) of Special Provisions Act to Deal with Child Sex Abuse Offenders, with reference to Article 11 (a) of the Act
• One count of possession of pornographic material under Article 622 (e) (ii) of the Penal Code with reference to Article 622 (a) (vii)
• One count of production of pornographic material under Article 622 (e) (ii) of the Penal Code with reference to Article 622 (a) (vii)

Rihula faces 50 to 61 years in prison if found guilty of all charges.