Man accused of repeated sexual abuse of young girl jailed pending outcome of trial

A court has ordered for a man arrested for the repeated sexual abuse of a young girl to be jailed pending the outcome of his trial.

Ibrahim Nadeem Salih, 32, Thiruge, G. A. Dhevvadhoo, is accused of the repeated sexual abuse of a girl under the age of 18 years he holds a position of authority over.

The case was reported to the police on July 23, and Nadeem was arrested under court order in connection to the case two days later, on July 25.

He was presented before the G. Dh. Thinadhoo Magistrate Court for his remand hearing the same day, and was ordered to be held in custody of the police for 15 days.

He was ordered to be jailed pending the outcome of the trial when presented to the court for his second remand hearing on August 9.

The court, in issuing the order, said that it found that based on the evidence submitted by the Prosecutor General’s Office, freeing the suspect may expose children and the community to further danger, and lead to witness intimidation.

The court also said that it found evidence submitted by the police to be sufficient to believe Nadeem may have committed the crime of sexual abuse of a child he holds a position of authority over.

The police said they are working on completing the investigation and forwarding the case to the Prosecutor General’s office for criminal charges.

The police have noted an increase in cases of sexual violence against children which involve blackmail and coercion, as well as cases of sexual violence against children which involve grooming through the internet, and have advised parents and guardians to increase their vigilance.

Those with information regarding crimes against children have been urged to call the Maldives Police Service’s Family and Child Protection Wing at 3000600 or the Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services hotline 1412.