Third suspect arrested over attempted rape

A third suspect has been arrested in connection with the attempted rape of a woman at a guesthouse in Malé on Thursday night.

The 33-year-old man, who was among two suspects who evaded arrest, was found and taken into custody with a warrant, police confirmed Saturday night.

The alleged rape attempt by four men was foiled after a policeman on patrol heard a woman screaming.

Two suspects escaped when police officers entered the guesthouse in the Maafannu ward of the capital. Of the two suspects who were arrested from the scene, a 33-year-old man was remanded to police for five days and a 32-year-old man was released by the criminal court. A fourth suspects remains at large.

There were 362 cases involving sexual offences in 2018. Some 110 sexual offences have been reported to police so far this year.