An Indian lecturer at the Maldives National University (MNU) was dismissed on Sunday for sexually harassing a woman aboard an aircraft of the Maldives' national carrier Maldivian which was en route from Addu to Male'.
Deputy Vice Chancellor of MNU Aishath Shaaheen revealed to local media Mihaaru that the lecturer dismissed over the issue, Anees Mariamathias, joined the university in 2019 and taught four modules in the pharmacy course offered at MNU's Thinadhoo campus.
Harshly condemning his actions, the Vice Chancellor stated that MNU immediately suspended the lecturer upon being informed that he had sexually harassed a woman.
"Such actions from a lecturer are unacceptable. Therefore, he was dismissed according to our regulations."
Following the incident, the victim posted several videos of the harassment on social media, which shows the lecturer seated in front of her making sexual gestures though the space between the seat and the airplane window.
Moreover, according to the victim, he took out a brassier from his luggage and showed it to her in addition to displaying inappropriate pictures on his phone. The woman claimed he kept up the harassment throughout the duration of the flight.
She brought the issue to the attention of the crew as soon as the flight landed in Velana International Airport (VIA) and reported the case to the police. Authorities are currently investigating the case.
A middle-aged man was also arrested last week for harassing a woman on the street in Male' City. The court has remanded him until the conclusion of his trial.
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