Police arrest two for sexual misconduct, during raid on “New Age” beauty salon

Police on Wednesday night arrested a 26-year-old woman and a 40-year-old man suspected of sexual misconduct, after raiding a beauty salon in Male’.

The two were arrested in suspicion of engaging in sexual activities inside a room at the “New Age” beauty salon located on the first floor of “Blue Lake” lodge in Maafannu.

The arrests were made in an operation conducted by the Serious and Organised Crime Department of Maldives Police Service (MPS) following intelligence information received by the police, the MPS claimed.

The case is under investigation by the Serious and Organised Crime Department of MPS.

Shutting down brothels masquerading as spas and massage parlors was a key demand of a ‘mega protest’ on December 23 organised by eight political parties and religious NGOs to ‘Defend Islam’ against the allegedly liberal policies of the ousted Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) government.

The Dhivehi Qaumy Party (DQP) in June 2011 accused the Nasheed administration of “keeping its eyes closed” on the issue, despite prostitution being haram under Islam. The DQP alleged the Nasheed government was not prioritising Islam in the country.

Speaking at a press conference earlier this week, Islamic Minister Sheikh Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed claimed the ministry possessed a list of suspected brothels in inhabited islands, “most of which have already been shut down.”

Seven beauty salons had been closed down by police since the controversial transfer of power on February 7.

Adhaalath Party President Sheikh Imran Abdulla had claimed during the December 23 demonstration that there were over 60 brothels in the Male’ alone, double the number of mosques in the capital.

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs earlier this week had said it was formulating rules and guidelines for registering and operating alternative medicine centres, spas and beauty salons to prevent the use of such establishments as a front for prostitution.

The new regulations, to be drafted by a technical committee comprising of representatives from police and relevant ministries, would expand the role of the Islamic Ministry in monitoring the businesses, according to the Islamic Ministry.

In April police claimed to have smashed a Bangladeshi prostitution ring as part of the crackdown.

The suspects – four female and three male – were apprehended during raids by police officers inside Ranfaunu house, based in the Mahchangolhi ward of Male’ on April 9.

Officers reported that although the house looked as if it was built for residential purposes, a reception was found inside and a bell was placed on the staircase.

Inspector Dhaudh claimed that the bell situated on the staircase was suspected as functioning as a warning device used to signal people inside of possible danger.

In June 2011, Sun Magazine was criticised by the Maldives Media Council (MMC) for publishing an undercover account of Male’s illegal brothel scene, dubbed ‘Operation Sunset’, which reportedly involved three Sun journalists visiting massage parlours in Male’ and soliciting sex from the women in an attempt to expose illegal brothels operating in the capital.

The publication subsequently issued a statement apologising for the article’s “lack of professionalism”. However Editor Sinan Ali told Minivan News he was “really proud” of the journalists involved and what they had reported.

“As the Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) has said, this kind of reporting is new to the community and we need to get used to it,” Ali said.

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