Minivan News April 6, 2008:

A family have accused a lance corporal in the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) of repeatedly abusing their six-year-old child in the capital, Malé, after “grooming” her with gifts and chocolates.

The officer has been released from custody pending the case reaching court, and denies the allegations, claiming the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) will “not forward the case” as there is “no evidence”.

But the family, concerned justice will not be secured for their child, have complained to local media they have been denied access to their own witness statements and the medical report on the child.

Read more here.