Police officer accused of child sexual abuse remanded pending outcome of trial

The police officer accused of sexually abusing a minor, has been remanded pending the outcome of his trial.

The Hithadhoo Magistrate Court issued the ruling, after the 34-year-old man was presented for his remand hearing.

The 34-year-old child abuse suspect was arrested at around 11:09pm on Thursday.

The case is being investigated further, by the police stationed at Hithadhoo district of Addu City as well as the police institution’s Family and Child Protection unit.

Infuriated residents of the southernmost city had taken to the streets outside of the suspect’s house, demanding his arrest.

The case of a 16-year-old falling victim to sexual abuse by the police officer, was filed at the police institution on Wednesday.

According to the police, they had used force to disband the protestors, as they were obstructing law enforcement. As such, officers had used pepper spray on the protestors as well.

This comes at a time the police institution has revealed that they are investigation another similar case of child sexual abuse, reported from an outlying atoll.

The case was filed at the Police Upper South Division comprised of Gaaf Alif and Gaaf Dhaal atolls, on September 12. The victim has been identified as a 14-year-old girl.

No arrests have been made in connection to the case, currently being probed by MPS and the Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services.