Rape suspect detained for 15 days

A  man arrested in connection with the alleged rape of a teenage girl has been detained for 15 days, reports local media.

The 34-year-old, who was arrested on the island of Thinadoo in Gaaf Dhaal atoll, was taken to the island’s magistrate court last night.

Under the Maldives Constitution, a person arrested on suspicion of a crime is required to be brought before a judge within 24 hours of arrest. The judge will then decide whether to remand him further, based on the evidence against the person.

The 18-year-old alleged victim told the Maldives Independent she was raped in the capital on Wednesday night and was offered hush money by her attacker, who claimed nothing would happen to him if she reported it to the police due to his political connections.

The alleged attacker is claimed to be related to a politician from the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), Ahmed Nihan.

There were 417 sexual offences reported in 2017. Six cases of sexual assault have been reported this year.