An arrest has been made in connection to the alleged rape and assault of a 19-year-old girl in the capital Malé City.

Police have confirmed that a 34-year-old was arrested on Saturday night, in connection to a rape case reported last Wednesday. However, it did not disclose any further details on the suspect.

RaajjeMV understands that the suspect was arrested in Thinadhoo island of Gaafu Dhaalu atoll.

RaajjeMV understands that the assault allegedly occurred last Wednesday night in an art studio in Male’, and that the 19-year-old was offered a sum ‘to keep quiet’.

Reports indicate that the suspect is related to a senior official of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM). The girl is to have detailed the whole encounter to the police, who have taken the necessary DNA samples for the investigation.

Nihan Hussain Manik, the PG leader of ruling party PPM, has called for the immediate arrest of the suspect in the sexual assault case. RaajjeMV understands that the suspect in question in the Villimalé constituency MP’s younger brother Hassan Faaiz, who denied any wrongdoing to RaajjeMV on Saturday.