Two jailed for sexual assault committed under guise of ruqya

Two men have been handed lengthy prison sentences for sexually assaulting a woman and three children under the age of 18 under the pretext of performing ruqya, Prosecutor General’s Office (PG) said.

In a statement, Prosecutor General's Office said Ismail Waheed, Raa atoll Kandholhudhoo, and Mohamed Aseel, also from Kandholhudhoo, were charged with multiple counts of physical and sexual assault committed over several days in 2020.

Charges were filed on 30 December 2020.

Criminal Court found both men guilty of a total of 12 charges.

Aseel was convicted on seven counts, including intentionally touching the body of a child with sexual intent, and was sentenced to 25 years, 10 months and 24 days in prison.

Waheed was convicted on five charges and sentenced to six years, nine months and 18 days in jail.