Nine Arrested in Upper South Sexual Abuse and Child Exploitation Probe
Police probe the alleged sexual assault of a 22-year-old woman in the Upper South.
Nine Maldivian men have been taken into police custody following an expanding criminal investigation into the alleged sexual assault of a 22-year-old woman and uncovered cases of child sexual abuse and exploitation on an island within the Upper South Police Division.
A specialist investigative team dispatched from Malé has arrived on the island and is currently conducting operations on the ground alongside local officers.
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The Maldives Police Service initially launched an inquiry following a report filed on 20 October 2026 regarding the sexual assault of a 22-year-old female victim.
However, during active inquiries into the initial complaint, investigators uncovered additional, broader allegations involving child sexual abuse and exploitation within the community.
In an update on Thursday, authorities confirmed that the investigation had expanded into a high-priority probe, leading to the arrest of the nine male suspects.
Law enforcement authorities have not publicly disclosed the identities of the suspects or the specific island to protect the identities of the victims and minors involved in the case. Police confirmed that the specialist contingent remains active on the island as evidence collection and interviews continue.
