Crime

54 cases of torture filed against police

The 54 cases alleging torture by the police included 13 cases of physical abuse during arrest, 26 cases of custodial abuse, 15 cases of physical abuse during protests, and one case of physical abuse during transfer to court for a remand hearing.

Court withholds passport after Indian child abuse suspect flees

The High Court has issued today an order to withhold the passport of an Indian teacher suspected of sexually abusing several students a day after he fled the country.

Police investigating case of dead baby in Thulhadhoo

“The baby’s body was brought to Male’ for further investigation and buried soon afterwards. But we have no more information to give right now,” a police spokesperson said.

Independence 50 logos in Addu City vandalised with crude oil

80-year-old man arrested on charges of sexually abusing eight-year-old girl

Local NGO Advocating the Rights of Children (ARC) has meanwhile expressed concern with the “hidden epidemic of child abuse that continues unabated in the country”. A total of 339 cases of child abuse were reported from January to June this year, ARC noted, which represented a significant increase compared to the 423 cases reported during the whole of 2014.

‘Drug trafficker’ acquitted on lapses highlighted in former president’s trial

Citing severe procedural irregularities, the Supreme Court on Thursday acquitted a man sentenced to life in prison over drug trafficking charges. The irregularities are similar to those highlighted by ex president Mohamed Nasheed and ex defence minister Mohamed Nazim in their criminal court trials.

Two attempted suicides reported on Saturday

A woman in Malé stabbed herself in the stomach after her husband left to Syria, local media report. A young man attempted suicide in Muli after a quarrel with his family, police said.

Victim’s family welcomes Interpol red notice for murder suspect

The family of murder victim Ahmed Jailam Shakir has welcomed an Interpol red notice issued to locate a suspect and a High Court order for the criminal court to accept the case.

Indian arrested on child abuse charges, MP seeks publication of sex offenders registry

Opposition Jumhooree Party MP Abdulla Riyaz has meanwhile asked the parliament’s government oversight to investigate the failure to publicise a mandatory national registry of child sex offenders.

Maldivian charged with murder of undocumented Bangladeshi worker

Senior TVM staff found guilty of sexual harassment, let off with warning

The state broadcasting company, Public Service Media (PSM), refused to confirm the decision made by an internal committee following an inquiry, but Minivan News has learned that the offender was let off with a written warning.

Police deny rumoured pregnancy of Fuvahmulah child prostitution victim

Underaged female victims of a child prostitution ring uncovered in Fuvahmulah last week is not pregnant despite media reports to the contrary, the police have said.

No evidence linking reported abduction to Rilwan disappearance, says police

The police said today that it has received DNA analysis of samples taken from three cars suspected to have been used in the abduction outside Rilwan’s apartment, but could not “conclusively state” that there was a connection between the incident and the Minivian News journalist’s disappearance.

10 men arrested on charges of forcing children into prostitution

Ten men have been arrested in Fuvahmulah on suspicion of drugging, blackmailing, and forcing children into prostitution. The underaged girls were reportedly tricked into using drugs, filmed naked, and blackmailed.

Journalist’s family backs independent inquiry into disappearance

Minivan News journalist Ahmed Rilwan’s family has supported the opposition’s call for an independent inquiry into his disappearance a year ago in a Malé suburb.

Young man dies in attempt to flee from police

The young man was driving the motorbike when the police attempted to stop him in a drug operation near Flat 133 in Malé’s suburb Hulhumalé at 9:10pm. The young man sped away at high speed and crashed into a car.

20 inmates released under pilot tagging project

The inmates were released with an electronic tagging device attached to their feet, which will send out a signal if he or she steps out of the confined area.

High Court, citing lateness, rejects murder acquittal appeal

The High Court, citing lateness, has rejected an appeal filed by the state over the criminal court’s acquittal of man accused of killing his girlfriend and stuffing her body into a suitcase. Prosecutors blamed the delay on the criminal court failure to provide documents on time.

Warehouse fire in Malé second in a week

Manager found guilty of sexual harassment let off with warning