A man has been arrested and remanded in custody pending trial following the rape of a 16-year-old girl in a southern island.
Police confirmed that a 27-year-old Maldivian man was apprehended on allegations of committing a sexual offense against a 16-year-old girl in a jurisdiction within the Upper South Police Division. He has since been ordered to remain in state custody until the conclusion of his trial.
Adhadhu understands that the victim, a 16-year-old Grade 10 student, was discovered inside an abandoned house after the assault occurred.
While the police have not disclosed further details regarding the incident, they stated that the investigation is ongoing.
So far this year, 158 cases of sexual abuse have been reported to the police. This is a 2.1 percent increase compared to the same period last year.
Records show that 273 cases of sexual abuse were reported to the police in 2025, while 322 cases were filed in 2024.
