Nine Remanded Over Sexual Assault and Child Exploitation Case

Nine Maldivian men have been remanded in custody following their arrest on an island in the Upper South Police Division, in connection with an expanding investigation into the alleged sexual assault of a young woman and the exploitation of children.

Maldives Police Service confirmed that following their arrests, the individuals were presented before the court to determine their remand status. 

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The suspects have been identified as:

• Ahmed Ifthisham Zareer (24)
• Ali Huzaam Saeed (31)
• Ahmed Saaniju Saadiq (32)
• Azim Mufeed (24)
• Mohamed Maisan Shiyaz (21)
• Mohamed Salih Ahmed (26)
• Mohamed Mishal Ahmed Zuhair (20)
• Najmulla Hassan (35)
• Ahmed Nooh Niyaz (20)

The court ordered varied detention periods for the suspects: Ahmed Ifthisham Zareer and Ali Huzaam Saeed were remanded in custody for 90 days, while Ahmed Saaniju Saadiq was given a 30-day remand.

Azim Mufeed was remanded for 15 days, and Mohamed Maisan Shiyaz received a 10-day remand. Meanwhile, Mohamed Salih Ahmed, Mohamed Mishal Ahmed Zuhair, Najmulla Hassan, and Ahmed Nooh Niyaz were each remanded for five days.

The inquiry began after a formal complaint was lodged on October 20, regarding the sexual assault of a 22-year-old woman. As officers carried out initial enquiries, the scope of the case broadened significantly when investigators uncovered further alleged incidents of child sexual abuse and exploitation within the local community.

In response to the gravity of the findings, a specialist investigative team was deployed from the capital, Malé, to lead operations on the ground alongside division officers. Police subsequently arrested nine male suspects in connection with the inquiry.

Authorities have refrained from naming the specific island to protect the identities of the victims and the minors involved. The specialist unit from Malé remains stationed on the island as witness interviews and forensic evidence gathering continue.