A local male was arrested on Friday over allegations of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old minor.
Maldives Police Service disclosed that the report was filed on Thursday night and the arrest was made the next day following a court order. Police confirmed that the perpetrator was aged 21.
The man is currently remanded for a period of five days.
There has been a recent uptick in sexual abuse of minors, with similar cases being reported at increasingly high frequencies.
Just last week, sexual harassment against an 8-year-old in an island in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll was reported, while a girl aged 15 was raped in capital Male' late last Saturday.
Two men, aged 17 and 22, were arrested in relation to the rape case.