Nine Arrested in Upper South Sexual Assault and Child Exploitation Case

Maldives Police have arrested nine individuals in connection with the sexual assault of a 22-year-old woman on an island in the Upper South Police Region. The case was reported on October 20, 2026. During the investigation, police uncovered further cases involving the sexual assault and exploitation of children, escalating the operation. In response to the severity of the findings, a special team from the Maldives Police Service has been deployed from Male' to the island. The nine suspects have been produced before the Criminal Court, which ordered varying terms of remand. The suspects are: Mohamed Maishan Shiyaz (21) - 10 days, Ahmed Ifthisham Zareer (24) - 90 days, Najmullah Hassan (35) - 5 days, Azim Mufeed (24) - 15 days, Ali Huzam Saeed (31) - 90 days, Mohamed Sali Ahmed (26) - 5 days, Ahmed Noohu Niyaz (20) - 5 days, Mohamed Mishal Ahmed Zuhair (20) - 5 days, and Ahmed Saanij Sadiq (32) - 30 days. Police have described the case as highly serious and are conducting a broad investigation.