A 56-year-old man has been charged for sexually harassing a young woman on the street.

The victim uploaded a video of Abdul Ghani Ismail following and allegedly harassing her on his motorcycle as she was walking in Male’.

The state attorney said that the man was arrested for allegedly groping a woman on the streets of Male’ on the night of June 19.

The man has been charged with using offensive language, stalking, and initiating unwanted sexual advances. This is the first time in Maldives that someone is charged with street harassment.

He was charged under Article 615(a) of the Penal Code and if found guilty will face a sentence of one to six months.

Ghani has denied the charges in court and stated that he has never used offensive language and that he has explained the purpose of him being out on his motorcycle that night to the police. He requested the court to transfer him to house arrest since, due to his financial situation, he has to request his friends for money to hire a lawyer.

The judge denied the request due to it being against procedure but granted him 10 days to hire a lawyer and allowed him to call his friends for assistance.