Police investigate child sex abuse Facebook page

Police are investigating a Facebook page on which images of young children were posted, along with statements encouraging child sex abuse.

Police spokesman Ahmed Shifan said an investigation was under way and that the offenders would be captured and brought to justice.

The page has been operating since May, but was only recently reported to police. Facebook deleted the page on Sunday night at the request of police.

Images of Maldivian girls who appear to be below the age of 10 were posted on the page.

The Maldives has seen a rise in child sex abuse cases, with more than 400 cases reported last year.

A mandatory child sex offenders’ registry was published in 2015 under a law on child sexual abuse prevention.

The punishment for sexually abusing a child is up to 25 years in prison.