Former President’s Office under-secretary placed under house arrest

Former President’s Office Under-Secretary Ibrahim Rasheed ‘Hoara’ Ibbe, who stands accused of sexual offences against a 17 year-old girl, has been placed under house arrest.

Rasheed, who served in the President’s Office under the previous government of Mohamed Nasheed, had been kept in pretrial detention until yesterday (January 5) over the allegations.  The Maldives Police Service today confirmed that his detention had been extended for an additional 15 days under house arrest.

Rasheed was arrested on December 6, 2012, after being discovered at a house in the Galolhu Ward  of Male’ with a seventeen year-old girl.

A Criminal Court Spokesperson had told local media that Rasheed was brought before a judge yesterday for a hearing on whether to extend the period of his detention. The presiding judge decided that the suspect was to be placed under house arrest for the next 15 days, according to reports.

Police Sub-Inspector Hassan Haneef today confirmed to Minivan News that Rasheed was now placed under house arrest, but could not give further details of the case as it was related to a minor.

‘’In such cases related to minors we do not provide details,’’ he said.

Haneef also declined to confirm local media reports alleging Rasheed and the 17 year-old girl had been found naked when discovered together by police.

Ibrahim Rasheed is a well known politician and a senior figure within the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

Legal grounds

According to Maldivian law, any person under 18 years of age is considered a minor.

Special provisions relating to child sex abuse cases state that “for the purpose of this law, unless proven otherwise, the courts shall not accept that the sexual activity was carried out with the consent of the minor, if the minor is between the ages of 13 to 18.”

Sexual offences involving minors is punishable by up to 25 years imprisonment.

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12 thoughts on “Former President’s Office under-secretary placed under house arrest”

  1. Cant wait for the adhaalath loonies to come out and call for the girl to be stoned

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  2. Any crime committed by senior member from MDP should not be challenged in the court and they should be made exception always.

    These guys will have a big mouth o talk in front of podiums and then will talk about the rights of children and sexual harassment and abuses?

    What a joke?

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  3. Most of those who rant without any purpose, reason or logic, usually are criminals who hide their heinous acts through backing of some questionable politicians.

    Pedophiles are what they are! Do not lighten the case!!!

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  4. i thiNk Horua Ibbay is Not seX with too yaoung girl. If Girl ok thAn I think ok. And Horua Ibbay iS not Likke that perSon. He Is very godd man. he is ourPresindent Annie's veRy closed freidm got very high Job in Preasident offise too. But now bbaHghee gavernmnat want to aRest all NDP senoairr peppl. This is all GolHlhaboi probLemns.

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  5. MDP vigorously argued for democracy in Maldives and won the battle. While MDP deserves to be thanked for many good things, some senior members of the party have not lived the party's values.

    Because of their irresponsibility, the cause they have fought (ie democracy) has now become synonymous with late night drinking, drugs and sexual promiscuity

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  6. Pedophiles? We're talking about a 17 year old girl here. If the law doesn't make a difference between a 13 year old and a 17 year old, something is seriously wrong with the law. A 17 year old is much more mature obviously.

    If the allegations are true (since politics are involved, I doubt that), then the question whether this was against the girls will or not, is very important.

    Those who don't agree are saying: having sex with a 17 year old who agreed on having sex is as bad as the same as raping a 13 year old.

    Any case of rape has to be punished severely btw, but looking at the facts it doesn't look like a rape. And because of the Maldivian laws and society the girl has to be very brave to admit she agreed, as she'll get the harsh punishment instead.

    Bloody hypocrites.

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  7. @why
    Well said, but sadly Anni fails to see the truth and MDP core with some values fails to stand up to Anni's corrupt core to make a change, also people like Ex Minister Aslam are weak due to personal weakness that Anni controls him like a puppet!! Sad indeed!!! Anni so madly in love!

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  8. It is important to make a difference between 13 & 17... as 17 is almost next to adult age and if this was done by consent.... this is another story anyway.

    Still the current laws say 13-17 are minors and laws are clear on what legal actions are required. However this case is more seen as a political stand...the current govt will do anythn to keep anni and MDP out of elections and campaigns. upkeep the law...for now. until it changes for another politician from the right side.. my mom was married at age 16...deemed right by then govt. and my father 17...also deemed right.. perfect examples of govt child labour as well.

    it all depends on the govt at the time. I can fairly point out child abusers from MDP, DRP, and BMW's head govt officials. they help da families of those children only with intention of a girl in the family.. happened with mine.luckily i was able to fend off the bastard.and if he tries one more time, i forget any laws or regulations and the only law will prevail will be my hands.

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  9. Whether you are 5 or 17 you are a CHILD in Maldives, unless you are over 18.

    If you like to have an adulterous relationship with a CHILD behind your wives back better make sure you are ready to serve time in jail.

    This story would have much more spunk put into it if it was some Pakistani trained fundamentalist.

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  10. There can be debates over many things.
    But the mere fact is that a crime will always be a crime, irrelevant to who did it when or where.

    If Ibrahim Rasheed is guilty of the alleged crime, he should be punished.
    He can be who ever!

    No senior member of any party should be able to stamp their seniority and ranks and get away with crime!

    Start from Gayyom and his 30 year golden era as some see it. and end finger pointing and spinning once and for all!

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  11. Why are all the issues coming out these days mostly cases of "guilty until proven innocent" and not vice versa?

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