Early release of child sex offender sparks outrage

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s decision Tuesday to commute the 10-year prison sentence of a convicted child sex offender has sparked outrage on social media. 

Ibrahim Rasheed, known as ‘Hoara Ibbe,’ was an under-secretary at the president’s office during the previous Maldivian Democratic Party government. The MDP activist was sentenced in December 2013.

After serving half of the jail term, Rasheed is due to be released in two days, the president’s spokesman Ibrahim Hoodh told the Maldives Independent.

“The president followed a recommendation by the clemency board in 2016 to release Rasheed,” he added, declining to comment further.

The Clemency Act lists sexual offences against minors as crimes for which convicts cannot be pardoned. But the law allows commutation of sentences.

Rasheed was arrested in December 2012 after police raided a house in Malé. According to media reports, police officers found the 46-year-old naked with a 17-year-old girl.

He later married her when she turned 18. The couple remains married with two children.

Rasheed was charged under a 2009 law on special provisions for child sexual abuse that introduced hefty jail terms. Based on witness testimony during the closed-door trial, he was found guilty of touching a minor with sexual intent.

News of Rasheed’s release sparked an outcry and debates concerning grooming, age of consent and Islamic shariah.

An online petition was launched to urge President Solih to reconsider the decision.

The early release “negates statutory system of protection for such victims and paves way and arguably supports the grave crimes of such perpetrators,” states the petition, which has collected more than 500 signatures as of the time of publication.

"Hoara Ibbe", a convicted pedophile who was sentenced to 10 years in jail is now a free man. Showing leniency to man accused of child abuse doesn't inspire confidence in the ability of the government to take child abuse and #VAW seriously. #16DaysOfActivisim #HearMeToo https://t.co/95kCFvfRrE

— Miverin Koba (@MiVerinKoba) December 4, 2018

Hoara Ibbe joins the long list of men who will never face just punishment, IF ANY, for the crimes they commit against women and children. Regime after regime have continued to protect and promote these men. The fight goes on. #16DaysOfActivism #HearMeToo #MiVerinKoba

— Sara Naseem 🎈 (@sara_naseem) December 4, 2018

It is wrong when there is a 20 year age gap between the said minor and the perpetrator, gives rise to possible act of grooming, just answer this can you accept your younger sister who's 17 being in a consensual sexual relatioship with a 43 yr old @eyeshaa @sara_naseem

— Aishath Ibahath (@AishathIbahath) December 5, 2018

Point is, we had followed islamic shariah when it comes to marriages until Allah s.w.a's word became illegal by law. I am told she's Ibbe's wife and I dont believe a husband should be locked away from his loving wife for so long. He has been punished enough for breaking the law.

— Adil Saleem🎈 (@MadhilSaleem) December 5, 2018

Having sex with an underage girl or boy is statutory rape.
Courting under age girl or boy to marry is paedophilia.
An under aged girl or boy cannot give CONSENT.
Marriage after statutory rape doesn't make the rape any less criminal.

— Ahmed Tholal🎈 (@Tholman_79) December 5, 2018

Was it rape or him courting for marriage with a 17 year old. I agree its against laws although allowed by shariah. He has now served more than 5 yrs in jail for breaking the law. Should he stay behind bars while his wife longs for him? Where is her right? Tell me please. 🙁

— Adil Saleem🎈 (@MadhilSaleem) December 5, 2018

I hope this doesn’t set a precedent to release all convicted perpetrators of child sexual abuse. Its a lot of hard work and dedication of extremely hard working social workers making sure children remain protected and safe, gone to waste! #16DaysOfActivisim #PreventChildAbuse

— Amna Shareef (@Amna_Shareef) December 4, 2018

Photo from Sun Online