Maldives Immigration has denied reports circulating in some media outlets that a Maldivian national has been sentenced in connection with a sexual assault case in the United Kingdom.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the authority clarified that the individual named in the case, Sundaralingam Koodalingam, who was convicted by a UK court, is not a Maldivian citizen.

The statement reads that following verification, there is no record of the individual being a Maldivian.

Immigration urged the public and media to refrain from disseminating inaccurate or misleading information, especially in sensitive legal matters, as it may lead to public misunderstanding or reputational harm.

The case in question was adjudicated by a court in London.