Police Reveal Names of Nine Arrested in Thinadhoo Sexual Assault Case; Court Orders Detention

The Maldives Police Service has revealed the identities of nine individuals arrested in connection with a sexual assault case in Gaafu Dhaalu Thinadhoo. The suspects, aged between 20 and 35, were taken into custody as part of an ongoing investigation into the incident that occurred in a southern island. According to police, a special investigative team from Malé has been deployed to Thinadhoo and is actively gathering further evidence. The case has drawn significant attention, with court proceedings leading to varied detention orders for the accused. The court ordered 90-day detention for Ahmed Ifthisham Zareer (24) and Ali Huzam Saeed (31). Ahmed Sanij Sadiq (32) was remanded for 30 days, Azim Mufeed (24) for 15 days, and Mohamed Maisan Shiyaz (21) for 10 days. The remaining four suspects—Mohamed Salih Ahmed (26), Mohamed Mishal Ahmed Zuhair (20), Najmulla Hassan (35), and Ahmed Nooh Niyaz (20)—were ordered to be held for five days. Police confirmed that the investigation is expanding, with the special team continuing to search for additional evidence on the island.