Court Extends Remand for Five in Upper South Abuse, Exploitation Probe
Photo: Maldives Police Service
The court has extended the detention of five men, ordering one held until the end of trial, in connection with an expanding sexual abuse and child exploitation investigation on an island in the Upper South Division.
Following their second remand hearings, the court ordered Ahmed Noohu Niyaz, 20, remanded in custody until the conclusion of his trial. Mohamed Mishal Ahmed Zuhair, 20, for an additional 30 days; Najmulla Hassan, 35, for 45 days; and both Mohamed Salih Ahmed, 26, and Ahmed Saanij Sadiq, 32, for an additional five days. The five individuals were previously remanded for five days before their second court appearance.
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Police previously issued a correction regarding Ahmed Saanij Sadiq, clarifying that his initial remand was for five days rather than the previously reported 30 days due to an administrative error.
Authorities arrested nine Maldivian men in connection with the case:
- Mohamed Maisan Shiyaz, 21
- Ahmed Iftisham Zareer, 24
- Najmulla Hassan, 35
- Azim Mufeed, 24
- Ali Huzaam Saeed, 31
- Mohamed Salih Ahmed, 26
- Ahmed Noohu Niyaz, 20
- Mohamed Mishal Ahmed Zuhair, 20
- Ahmed Saanij Sadiq, 32.
On 25 October, Mohamed Maisan Shiyaz was remanded for 10 days, Azim Mufeed for 15 days, while Ahmed Iftisham Zareer and Ali Huzaam Saeed were both remanded for 90 days.
The investigation was initially launched following an October 20 report concerning the alleged sexual assault of a 22-year-old woman. During inquiries, investigators uncovered wider allegations involving child sexual abuse and exploitation within the community, escalating the case into a high-priority probe.
A specialist police team dispatched from Malé remains active on the island, conducting operations and gathering evidence alongside local officers. Police continue to withhold the identity of the island to protect the victims and minors involved.
