Police looking to press charges in alleged rape

Police have referred an alleged rape case to the Prosecutor General following an investigation into claims a relative of a senior ruling party politician raped a teenager in Malé earlier this month.

The 18-year old said she was raped in the capital on January 3 and was offered hush money by her attacker, who claimed nothing would happen to him even if she reported it to the police because of his political connections.

According to the police media group on Viber, it was confirmed the case had been sent to Prosecutor General’s office after an investigation.

A 34-year old man was arrested on January 6. His initial 15-day detention was extended by 10 days on January 22nd.

The Maldives Independent knows the identity of the alleged attacker but will not reveal it because of the 2016 Defamation and Freedom of Speech Act.