Police arrest man in connection with rape case

A  34-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the alleged rape of a teenage girl, according to police spokesman Javid Ismail.

According to the police media group on Viber, the arrest took place late Saturday night.

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 even if she reported it to the police because of his political connections.

The alleged attacker is claimed to be related to a lawmaker from the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), MP Ahmed Nihan. Nihan spoke to the Maldives Independent about the rumours.

“I have also seen some of these posts on social media. But whoever committed it has nothing to do with me or my political ideology,” he said.

“Whether it is my parents or siblings or anyone, it should be investigated. I have called for the arrest of whoever is suspected of it and to prosecute them with the strictest possible punishment allowed by law. If needed, I am ready to assist in any investigation,” he added.

There were 417 sexual offences reported in 2017. Five such cases have been reported this year so far, an increase of two since Friday.