Police have arrested nine Maldivian men in connection with an investigation into the alleged rape of a 22-year-old woman and the sexual abuse and exploitation of minors on an island in the southern Maldives.
The arrests follow a complaint received by the Maldives Police Service last Tuesday concerning the alleged sexual assault of a young woman by multiple individuals on an island within the Upper South Police Division.
Police subsequently uncovered allegations involving the sexual abuse and exploitation of minors while investigating the initial complaint, expanding the scope of the case.
Police Spokesperson Ahmed Shiyam confirmed on Saturday that nine Maldivian men had been taken into custody on suspicion of involvement in the alleged offences.
He said a specialised investigative team had been dispatched from Malé to assist with the case and was currently conducting investigations on the island.
The deployment comes as authorities examine allegations involving both an adult victim and minors, with police yet to disclose the number of children potentially affected or the circumstances surrounding the alleged offences.
Police have also not released the identities or ages of those arrested, nor have they provided details about the specific allegations against each suspect.
Shiyam said additional information would be made public as the investigation progresses.
The case has raised serious concerns due to the nature of the allegations and the possible involvement of multiple victims, including children.
Under Maldivian law, sexual offences involving minors are subject to specific child protection legislation, including the Special Provisions Act to Deal with Child Sexual Abuse Offenders.
The legislation establishes legal provisions for investigating and prosecuting sexual offences against children, reflecting the heightened protections afforded to minors under the country’s legal framework.
Investigations involving children also require particular care to safeguard their identities, privacy and wellbeing.
Police have not identified the island where the alleged offences occurred. The location and identities of the alleged victims are being withheld in this report to protect their privacy.
The arrests represent the latest development in an ongoing investigation, and police have not announced whether formal charges have been filed against any of the suspects.
Authorities are expected to provide further updates as investigators continue gathering evidence and establishing the circumstances surrounding the allegations.
