Malé, Maldives – The High Court of Maldives on Wednesday upheld Hithadhoo Magistrate Court’s order to remand Aminath Dhiye (Aimindhatha) arrested under suspicion of child sexual abuse in Addu City till the end of trial.
Upon remand by Aminath Dhiye’s defence lawyer who had previously that Dhiye was arrested unlawfully, the High Court supported the ruling of the lower court on the matter. The High Court ruling read that the remand order was correct based on evidence provided by the police. The Court further stated that cases of child sexual abuse are a threat to society.
The contentious case was presided over by Chief Judge Haathif Hilmy, Judge Abdulla Hameed and Judge Hussain Shaheed.
Aminath Dhiye was arrested in the southern region for the sexual abuse of a 6-year-old girl on 25 March 2022 and was remanded to custody till the end of the trial by the Hithadhoo Magistrate Court. The arrested has been working as janitorial staff at an Addu City school for 29 years.
The public alleges that Aminath Dhiye was framed for the crime and has petitioned four authorities calling for her release. Addu City’s Mayor Ali Nizar and Deputy Mayor Mohamed Shuaau also signed the petition.
