22-yo accused of sexual assaulting minor, remanded until sentencing

Hulhumalé Magistrate Court has ordered the remand of a man arrested under the accusations of blackmailing and subsequently sexually assaulting a minor, until the end of his trial.

Ibrahim Nihan, 22, native to Landhoo island in Noonu atoll, is accused of blackmailing a 17-year-old girl before taking the victim to a guesthouse where he proceeded to sexually assault her.

The alleged child rapist was arrested on July 15 under a court order, after the Maldives Police Service (MPS) received the report of a minor being subject to blackmail and sexual assault, on July 5.

The court remanded Nihan for the remainder of his trial, as he poses a threat to the society and because involved in the case is a minor.

Police has since revealed that the case is under further investigations and that they are working to forward their findings to the Prosecutor General’s Office currently.

At a time there have been a surge in cases of child grooming through the internet, exploitation, blackmail and sexual assault against them, the authority has urged parents and guardians to be more mindful of the children under their care.

Police have also been urging media outlets to share information related to children through reports, that do not soil their integrity.

The authority has appealed on the public to come forth with any information of such incidents and report to their Family and Child Protection unit, through 3000600 or call the Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services through toll-free number 1412 to report such cases of abuse.