Two women arrested for burying ‘miscarried’ fetus

Two women were arrested today on the island of Maaemboodhoo in central Dhaalu Atoll on a charge of burying a four-month old fetus in secrecy.

A 30-year-old and her 52-year-old mother allegedly buried the fetus at the island cemetery last week. It is not clear if the mother had performed an abortion or if she had miscarried.

The case was reported to the police by the island health center.

The pair are to be held under police custody for 15 days.

Abortion, after 120 days or three months of pregnancy, is an offence punishable by a jail term of up to 12 months, under the penal code.

Miscarriages cannot be prosecuted under the new law.