Art studio rape: Suspect charged after 25-day remand

33-year-old Hassan Faiz has been charged with rape in a Criminal Court hearing on Monday.

The man native to Gaaf Dhaal atoll Thinadhoo island was brought into police custody two days after the rape case was filed has has been in police detention for 25 days.

Faiz is the younger brother of ruling party PPM's Parliamentary Group leader Ahmed Nihan Hussain Manik.

Rape carries a conviction of 15 to 20 years imprisonement under the criminal procedure act and a maximum jail term of 25 years if the accused is guilty of using a lethal weapon.

While court proceedings for criminal offenses such as rape are usually carried out behind closed doors, Faiz's case was carried out in secrecy as well.

Faiz was accused of molesting a woman after having convinced her to accompany him to an art studio where he used to work at the time. The victim also alleged that he had also offered her hush money.

The woman had sought treatment from IGM Hospital and had handed her medical reports to police when she had filed suit against Faaiz.

Speaking to RaajjeMV before his arrest, Faiz had denied the allegations against him, adding that neither police nor the prosecution can find any evidence against him.