Man arrested for sexual abuse of child under state care released

he Criminal Court has ordered the release of a suspect arrested for grooming a child in Kudakudhinge Hiyaa - a state-run children’s shelter in suburban Vilimale’, luring her out of the shelter, and sexually abusing her.

The police arrested the suspect – identified as a 25-year-old Maldivian male – on June 12.

The suspect was granted conditional release when presented before the Criminal Court for his remand hearing on Monday, after his previous 10-day remand period expired.

The court said in its order that while there is probable cause to believe he committed the crime, the police said they have no objection to granting him conditional release.

The court decided that there were therefore no grounds to hold him detained, and ordered the police to release him from their custody.

According to a statement released by the police regarding the case last week, the victim was found in the suspect’s room, and is believed to have been sexually abused.

The police also said that they found evidence suggesting the suspect groomed the victim, including evidence he does “things” for her.

The suspect has a prior criminal record for drug abuse and assault.

The court noted at the previous hearing that though the victim of the crime is a child, the suspect has not been accused of any crime under the Special Provisions Act on Child Sex Abuse Offenders.