Grandfather of 2yo sexual assault victim dies
The child's great-grandfather, Hassan Moosa Didi, died in prison on 9 September 2023
The men were arrested on 16 January 2020
The man who was arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment for sexually abusing a toddler, has died.
The case of sexual assault against a two-year-old arose and implicated in the case were the two-year-old’s father, grandfather and great grandfather. The father was accused of negligence in the case. The toddler’s mother was in capital city Malé due to health issues when this case emerged. Hassan Moosa Didi and Ibrahim Didi were arrested on 15 January 2020 from Kanduhulhudhoo island in Gaaf Alif atoll under accusations of sexually assaulting a toddler, just one year and nine months of age at the time.
On Friday, the Maldives Correctional Service said that Ibrahim Didi, 67, of Rihiveli, Kanduhuludhoo, who was serving a 25-year sentence at Hulhumalé Jail, died abruptly late Thursday night.
Corrections said that when Ibrahim Didi suddenly collapsed while awake on Thursday night, the medical team examined him and provided immediate treatment. However, as he remained unresponsive, he was taken to Hulhumalé Hospital in an emergency condition where treatment was initiated. After treatment, as there was still no response, he was reported dead at around 2:40am.
He had been receiving treatment for conditions such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, and tremors.
Corrections said that following Ibrahim Didi's death, his family, the Inspector of Correctional Service, Maldives Police Service, Human Rights Commission of the Maldives, and National Integrity Commission were immediately informed.
In connection with the shocking case of sexual abuse of the toddler, Hassan Moosa Didi, 85, of Annaarumage on the island, and Ibrahim Didi were sentenced to life imprisonment on 6 July 2022. In the verdict issued by the Criminal Court in the case, it was stated that the state-submitted witnesses' testimonies proved to the court that the two men had sexually abused the toddler on multiple occasions before 17 January 2020.
The child's great-grandfather, Hassan Moosa Didi, died in prison on 9 September 2023.
Several such cases of sexual assault against children have been unfolding since then and police, as well as the then-Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services faced backlash in inadequate measures taken to curb such cases from repeating. However, both bodies had assured the public that they are doing everything necessary to protect the rights of children.
