Man arrested for molesting 9-year-old remanded to 15 days in custody

A 71-year-old man suspected of sexually abusing a 9-year-old girl at a southern atoll in Maldives has been remanded to 15 days in custody.

Maldives Police Service reports the man was arrested on Monday, May 20.

The agency confirms he was ordered to 15 days in custody at a remand facility by the island’s magistrate court last Tuesday.

The sexual abuse case was reported to Maldives Police Service on May 10.

‘Sun’ has been informed the 71-year-old man arrested in the case is the longtime boyfriend of the victim’s mother. Maldives Police Service confirms it is also investigating a report the 9-year-old victim was also sexually abused by her two brothers who are 13 years and 16 years of age.

Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services says the 9-year-old girl has been moved out of her home “to a safe environment”.

Authorities have disclosed few details pertaining to the case as it involves minors.