Thinoo Gang Rape: One Detained Until End of Trial, Four Others' Detention Extended

A Maldivian court has ordered one suspect in the Thinoo gang rape case to be detained until the end of his trial, while extending the detention of four others. Ahmed Nuh Niyaz, 20, was detained until the end of the trial when his detention period expired and he was brought to court for a review. The court also extended the detention of Mohamed Mishal Ahmed Zuhaier, 20, by an additional 30 days; Najmullah Hassan, 35, by 45 days; Mohamed Solih Ahmed, 26, by an additional 5 days; and Ahmed Sanij Sodigu, 32, by an additional 5 days. The case came to light last Monday, involving the rape of a 22-year-old woman and underage girls. Nine people from the island have been arrested and detained so far. The detention periods of other suspects still in custody have not yet expired: Ahmed Iftikham Zareer, 24, and Ali Huzaam Saeed, 31, are detained for 90 days, while Aazim Mufeed, 24, and Muhammad Maissan Shiyaz, 21, are detained for 15 days.