An elderly man has been arrested in the Maldives for allegedly having performed acts of a sexual nature in the presence of a child.

The Maldives Police Service (MPS) reveled that the man had been arrested from a central atoll in the country, for allegedly having performed sex acts in the presence of a child. A report detailing this case was lodged with Police on 10 January 2021.

The 64-year-old man was arrested under a court order on Thursday in relation to the case.

MPS has revealed that the case is currently under active investigation in association with child protection and social service authorities.

The name and address of the man arrested in this case has not been revealed in order to protect the identity of the child who was subjected to abuse on his behalf.

MPS continue to investigate crimes against children, especially those that involve sexual abuse, under special policies. Many such cases have been reported in the country over the past year, with the social impact of the global Covid-19 pandemic taking center stage as more and more vulnerable persons are exposed to domestic and familial abuse while isolated within their homes.