Commissioner of Police, Mohamed Hameed has requested for an order to remand a child rape suspect arrested on Friday, until his trial concludes.

For the first time in five years, CP Hameed requested from the Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) to issue such an order, via a Twitter post on Saturday.

The request stems from the law on Effecting Special Procedures Against Child Sexual Offenders (12/2009), that gives authority to do so, said Hameed.

As such, Hameed has requested to have the “alleged rapist” of an 11-year-old girl, remanded in custody until the trial outcome.

Maldives Police Service (MPS) arrested the 38-year-old man for sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl in a guesthouse, on Friday. The report was initially lodged on Wednesday.

Authorities have since launched an investigation into the case and police earlier revealed that such cases involving children will be probed as serious cases.

Further, police have also implemented the required measures in cooperation with relevant authorities, to ensure the safety of the victim. The child has been taken into a safe environment.