The Maldives Police Service has released the identities of nine men arrested in connection with an investigation into the alleged sexual assault of a 22-year-old woman and the suspected sexual abuse and exploitation of several minors in GDh. Thinadhoo.
Police confirmed on Sunday that all nine suspects had been presented before the court for remand hearings, with detention periods ranging from five to 90 days as investigations continue into the allegations.
The case was initially reported to police last Tuesday following allegations that a group of men had sexually assaulted a 22-year-old woman on the island.
However, the investigation subsequently expanded after police uncovered allegations involving the sexual abuse and exploitation of minors, raising further concerns about the extent of the suspected offences.
Authorities have since deployed a specialised investigation team from Malé to Thinadhoo to assist local police officers in examining the allegations and gathering evidence.
According to information released by the Maldives Police Service, the nine individuals arrested are Mohamed Maisan Shiyaz, 21; Ahmed Iftisham Zareer, 24; Najmullah Hassan, 35; Azim Mufeed, 24; Ali Huzaam Saeed, 31; Mohamed Salih Ahmed, 26; Ahmed Nooh Niyaz, 20; Mohamed Mishal Ahmed Zuhair, 20; and Ahmed Saaniju Sadiq, 32.
Following their appearance before the court, Ahmed Iftisham Zareer and Ali Huzaam Saeed were remanded in custody for 90 days, the longest detention periods ordered among the nine suspects.
Ahmed Saaniju Sadiq was remanded for 30 days, while Azim Mufeed was ordered to remain in custody for 15 days.
Mohamed Maisan Shiyaz was remanded for 10 days.
Four other suspects, Mohamed Salih Ahmed, Mohamed Mishal Ahmed Zuhair, Najmullah Hassan and Ahmed Nooh Niyaz, were each remanded for five days.
The differing remand periods were determined during the court proceedings. Police have not publicly detailed the specific allegations against each individual or explained the reasons for the varying detention periods.
The arrests follow an investigation that began with the reported sexual assault of the adult woman before authorities identified allegations involving underage victims.
Police previously confirmed that the suspected offences involving minors emerged during inquiries into the initial complaint, prompting further investigative action.
The deployment of a specialised team from the capital indicates that additional investigative resources have been assigned to the case.
Investigators are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the allegations, including the possible involvement of individual suspects in the reported offences.
The number of minors believed to have been affected has not been publicly disclosed, and authorities have not released further details about their circumstances.
The identities of the alleged victims have also not been made public.
Sexual offences involving children are treated as serious criminal matters under Maldivian law, with legal protections intended to safeguard minors from abuse and exploitation.
Investigations involving underage victims also require particular care to protect their identities and privacy throughout the criminal justice process.
The case has drawn attention to the alleged offences in Thinadhoo, one of the principal population centres in the southern Maldives.
Police have not announced whether additional arrests are anticipated or when the investigation is expected to conclude.
The nine individuals remain suspects, and the remand orders do not constitute findings of guilt. Any criminal liability will be determined through subsequent legal proceedings.
The Maldives Police Service has said its investigation is continuing, with the specialised team from Malé working on the island.
