Maldives court sentences opposition activist to 10 years for child abuse
COLOMBO, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Former Under-Secretary of the President's Office and opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) activist Ibrahim Rasheed "Hoara Ibbe" has been sentenced to 10 years in jail after the Criminal Court found him guilty of the charge of sexually abusing a 17-year old girl.
The police arrested Rasheed a year ago in December after being discovered at a house in the Galolhu Ward of Male with the minor.
The local media at the time quoted police as saying that when officers entered the room containing Rasheed, he was naked with the girl. However, the police refused to officially confirm the claim.
Rasheed at the time claimed that the 17-year old was his girlfriend and later, got married to her when she had attained the age of 18.
The Prosecutor General however pressed charges against Rasheed under section 3(c) of the Special Measure for Perpetrators of Child Sex Abuse Act 2009, which carries a sentence of imprisonment up to 14 years.
Criminal Court officials confirmed to local media at the time that Rasheed, during the closed-door trial, had refuted the charges.
Local media outlet Minivan news noted that the same court only sentenced renowned Quran reciter and teacher Hussain 'Qaari' Thaufeeq to a six months banishment and 15 lashes in a similar case last week.
MDP presidential candidate Mohammad Nasheed lost a closely contested election in November where the party strongly criticized the judiciary for abuse of power.
There's enough real child sex abuse going on. It's criminal and disgusting that courts would use this as an excuse to dispose of an opposition activist.
COLOMBO, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Former Under-Secretary of the President's Office and opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) activist Ibrahim Rasheed "Hoara Ibbe" has been sentenced to 10 years in jail after the Criminal Court found him guilty of the charge of sexually abusing a 17-year old girl.
The police arrested Rasheed a year ago in December after being discovered at a house in the Galolhu Ward of Male with the minor.
The local media at the time quoted police as saying that when officers entered the room containing Rasheed, he was naked with the girl. However, the police refused to officially confirm the claim.
Rasheed at the time claimed that the 17-year old was his girlfriend and later, got married to her when she had attained the age of 18.
The Prosecutor General however pressed charges against Rasheed under section 3(c) of the Special Measure for Perpetrators of Child Sex Abuse Act 2009, which carries a sentence of imprisonment up to 14 years.
Criminal Court officials confirmed to local media at the time that Rasheed, during the closed-door trial, had refuted the charges.
Local media outlet Minivan news noted that the same court only sentenced renowned Quran reciter and teacher Hussain 'Qaari' Thaufeeq to a six months banishment and 15 lashes in a similar case last week.
MDP presidential candidate Mohammad Nasheed lost a closely contested election in November where the party strongly criticized the judiciary for abuse of power.
There's enough real child sex abuse going on. It's criminal and disgusting that courts would use this as an excuse to dispose of an opposition activist.
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