Man arrested in connection with sexual blackmail of minor

A 24-year-old man has been arrested on the island Kalaidhoo in Laamu atoll on charges of blackmailing a minor to commit a sexual act, according to local media.

He was sentenced to 15 days detention by Isdhoo Magistrate court.

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 then decides whether to remand him further, based on the evidence against the person.

Police confirmed the man was arrested for blackmail, but local media reports he raped the minor at knife point after she refused to perform a sexual act and he threatened to leak naked pictures of her.

“The man demanded the girl commit a sexual act while pressing a knife to her throat, threatening to cut her. When she didn’t do it, he raped her and took photographs,” a resident from the island said to Avas.