13-yo child "bride": rapist arrested

The man who is to have raped and impregnated a 13-year-old, has been arrested

Maldives Police Service (MPS) announced this at a press conference on Sunday afternoon, with Superintendent Hassan Haneef revealing that Ismail Hammaadh was taken into police custody right after he was discharged from Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) on November 30.

Hammaadh had been admitted there from November 22, after being violently attacked by his crew-mates on a sea-cucumber fishing boat over an ideological disagreement. Reports of him marrying the 13-year-old “out of court” and impregnating her, surfaced after.

Haneef further said that the institution is currently investigating the case, adding that this includes questioning relevant individuals, gathering forensic evidence and verifications.

While the 13-year-old girl has given birth, Haneef confirmed that the baby’s DNA matches with Hammaadh.

He added that they are seeking the prosecutor general’s counsel in the investigation.

After news of the 13-year-old child bride emerged, police revealed that it received a report of the case in 2018.

At Sunday’s press conference, Haneef said her pregnancy was reported on February 14 this year.

A joint statement by the police and gender ministry said that the case has been under investigation since the first report in June 2018.

Reports of the a 13-year-old being wed out of court and her pregnancy led to public outcry.