A Bangladeshi man has been arrested on suspicion of running a prostitution ring that involved foreigners.
MD Faijul Islam, 33, who lives in Villimale’ was arrested last Thursday. He was remanded for 15 days by the criminal court on Friday.
Police told the court that they believe the man is involved in bringing foreigners for sex work in the Maldives. They also alleged that he is the ringleader.
According to the remand order, police had obtained some evidence against him including an intelligence report and an investigative report.
Court remanded him since he is the alleged ringleader and might threaten witnesses or attempt to flee from the country.
Earlier this month, 13 foreign nationals were detained in an operation targeting a human trafficking network.
The detainees were eight Bangladeshi men, one Bangladeshi woman and four Thai women. They are suspected of sex work which is illegal under Maldives’ law.
In February this year, two foreign women charged with prostitution were handed over to immigration for deportation.
A 43-year old Maldivian man who was arrested with the women from a guesthouse in Male was released from custody with conditions.
Last year, two Bangladeshi men were sentenced to 15 years in prison for human trafficking and forced prostitution.
