High Court orders re-arrest of child abuse suspect

The High Court has ordered the arrest of the manager of Guraidhoo island’s (Thaa Atoll) state-owned utilities company.

Fenaka Corporation employee Ahmed Fuad was previously arrested in connection with two cases of child sex abuse but was released by Thimarafushi Magistrate Court when brought before the judges to extend his detention period.

A police media official today said that the case was appealed at the High Court after Thimarafushi Magistrate Court ordered his release.

‘’Yesterday the High Court cancelled the release order and issued an arrest warrant and extended his detention period to 15 days for investigation,’’ police media officer said.

“He was arrested at about 3:05pm yesterday,’’ the officer continued.

At the time he was arrested police told the media that the charges related to charges of molesting two minors, a male and a female aged 13 and 17.

Local media outlet Sun Online reported police as telling the paper that the two minors had testified against the accused during the hearing held to extend his detention period in Thimarafushi Magistrate Court.

Local newspaper ‘Haveeru’ reported that the victims are believed to have been in the guardianship of Fuad, who was also reported as being a senior activist in the government-aligned Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM).