Release of man accused of grooming, molesting child, overturned

The High Court of Maldives has overturned a verdict by the Criminal Court to conditionally release a man who is accused of grooming, taking a girl child to a guesthouse, and sexually assaulting the minor.

The state has raised charges against Anees Hilmy in connection with the case.

He is accused of taking an 11-year-old girl child to a guesthouse and molesting her on 10 June 2020.

The Maldives Police Service (MPS) had arrested him during June 2020 and analyzed his mobile phone in connection with the case, on which they discovered pornographic material such as videos and photos, on the device.

The Prosecutor General’s Office filed charges against Anees including charges of deliberately touching a child’s body with sexual intent, possession of pornography as well as grooming a child for sexual intercourse.

The charge of possession of pornography was proven against him and he was sentenced to one month and six days in prison on 29 March 2023.

According to the charge sheet, Anees has groomed her by promising to buy a phone for her. He had then taken her to a shop and bought her a drink and a bottle of body spray.

He had then taken her to a guesthouse and sexually assaulted her.

Although he was put behind bars pending the outcome of the trial, he was released by the Criminal Court on conditional bail on 21 February 2024.

The decision was based on four main factors including not knowing when the trial can take place due to the current situation of the court, the accused not having a criminal record, no complaints from the correctional officers during the period of his detention, him cooperating with authorities and the fact that the prosecution had completed the process of recording witness statements in connection with the case.

Anees Hilmy’s release was appealed at the High Court on 24 February 2024.

On Sunday, the High Court ruled to overturn the lower court ruling to release him and instructed the lower court to issue a verdict within seven days, whether he is required to be kept in judicial custody or not, as per the procedure laid down by the High Court.

The High Court has also ordered for his detention at a remand prison, pending a verdict from the Criminal Court.