Maldives Police Service launched investigations into a case of a 13-year-old "bride" that was impregnated.
According to Police, Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services submitted the report of a pregnant child who was unlawfully "wedded" outside of court.
The Maldivian constitution does not allow children under 18 to be married, and consummating an unlawful "marriage" to an underage child constitutes statutory rape.
The 13-year-old's situation surfaced following an attack on the man that was allegedly "married" to her. Ismail Hammaadh of Maduvvari, Raa Atoll, was assaulted and thrown overboard following a dispute with other individuals aboard the vessel.
Hammaadh was reportedly attacked when he refused to participate in a plan devised by the others on the boat. Although it is unclear which act he was supposed to partake in, reports state that all the members on board at the time were religious extremists.
Hammaadh was accused of paedophilia while similar allegations were raised against the other men on board the vessel as well. Paedophilia and child marriages are common practice amongst religious extremists who justify their actions with their ideologies.
Relevant authorities have yet to release a statement on this matter.
A tweet by the Gender Ministry confirmed that the authority completed all necessary procedures regarding the child bride and submitted a case to the investigative authorities to take measures against the perpetrators as soon as possible.
Speaker of Parliament and former President Mohamed Nasheed declared on Saturday that all authorities negligent in the situation and every individual that supported the act must be punished accordingly.
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