Total 21 brothels closed since 7 Feb: Shaheem

Minister of Islamic Affairs Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has said that since the change of government on 7 February 2012, 21 brothels have been shut down and 81 people have been arrested in relation to these crimes.

Shaheem made this statement while speaking at a ceremony held at Islamic Centre to announce the sighting of the moon to determine the start of Ramadan. He added that 43 foreign nationals have been deported.

Shaheem noted that 17 of the arrested are still under Police custody, and that MVR60,000 and $2640 were seized by the Police from the brothels.

Shaheem stressed that the government has made several efforts to end such practices in society, and said that they will not hesitate in upholding the values of Islam.

“We have achieved a lot in a short period of time,” Shaheem said.