Missing girl from bullying video turns up at police station

A 15-year-old girl who went missing a week ago has turned up at a police station following appeals for public assistance from the Maldives Police Service.

A video that was widely shared on social media last week shows her being bullied and slapped by three other girls.

Nashfa Hassan was found to be missing when police analysed the video, identified her and contacted the family.

Police revealed in a journalists’ Viber group Sunday night that she turned up at the family and child protection department at 6:50pm. They declined to give details.

Spokesman Ahmed Shifan on Monday told the Maldives Independent that an update would be provided after checking with the investigation team. He had not responded at the time of going to press.

According to media reports, the bullying incident took place in May.

The girl’s mother told newspaper Mihaaru that her daughter had stopped going to school two months ago because of bullying.

The mother of seven moved to the capital’s suburb Hulhumalé with her children a year ago. The father stayed back on their native Thinadhoo island in Gaaf Dhaal Atoll.

No one from Rehendhi School in Hulhumalé was available for comment.

The viral video shows three young girls bullying Nashfa while a fourth person films them.

Photos and Facebook profiles of girls suspected to be the bullies are circulating on social media but police declined to say whether they have been questioned or if any arrests have been made.