Man arrested for sexual abuse of own child, another minor released

A man from an unnamed southern atoll of Maldives who is alleged to have sexually abused his own child and another minor was released from custody following his arrest last November.

He is accused of sexually abusing his child as well as a second grade child from a neighbouring house.

The individual was arrested on similar charges 13 years back as well. However, he was released without charges.

The recent allegations surfaced after his child told another person about the abuse and explained that it was something their father did out of love.

Following his arrest, his remand was extended multiple times. According to the arrest warrant, he was arrested as per the Special Procedures Against Child Sexual Offenders Act to prevent intimidation of witnesses as well as because of the likelihood that he posed a threat to other children in the society.

A source who spoke to Mihaaru said he was released last Friday. He is also said to be living in the same house as his child - a concern the source raised while speaking with the news outlet.

The source alleged that he was released due to political influence.

"Suspicions arose when the man's child went to another house and was playing in the room with the kids. When someone from the house went home after work, the room's door was locked. All three kids came out at the same time when the person knocked. They then asked their male child what they did. And the child is believed to have told that they were playing husband-wife," the source told previously.

The individual became suspicious of the story and spoke to the children. This is said to have been when the whole situation unraveled.

A source from the island said that the child told everything their father makes them do. The child is also said to have told that they kept it a secret to prevent the father from going to prison.

A team from the Ministry of Gender travelled to the island regarding the case, and medical tests are said to have been administered as well.