Ministry of Islamic Affairs, on Saturday, suspended the imaam of Kanduhulhudhoo, Gaafu Alif Atoll, following his arrest for the sexual abuse of a 21-month-old child.
The 62-year old man in question is the child's paternal grandfather and was arrested on Friday evening along with two others. The two men, aged 33 and 81, are the child's father and great-grandfather.
Allegations have surfaced that the man also sexually abused the toddler's mother, his daughter-in-law.
As per a joint statement released by Police and Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services, it was the child's grandfather that perpetrated the abuse. The father is guilty of neglect while the great-grandfather has previous records of child sexual abuse.
After the child's sexual abuse case was reported on Wednesday, Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services took the victim under state care and handed her over to a maternal family member, after the authorities ensured that both the relative and their home environment would ensure safety and protection for the girl.
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