Maldives Police Service, on Friday, arrested a 23-year-old man for raping and impregnating a minor over the age of 10.
Initially reported on June 30, the incident occurred within the jurisdiction of the Central Police Division.
A health centre on an undisclosed island in the region reported the matter to the police after ascertaining that the girl was pregnant.
According to police, the case was under investigation by the institution's 'Crime Against Children' department, in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services.
In order to protect the identity of the minors, authorities have not revealed the island and atoll in which the crimes had occurred.
Prior to the aforementioned case, two instances of child sexual abuse were reported to the authorities on May 27 and July 10, as well as a number of similar cases earlier this year prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Public ire continues to soar over the government's meagre record of arresting and convicting perpetrators of sexual offences despite several promises to support the rights of children and women.
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