Maldives Police Service (MPS) has reported Thursday, that numerous children have been sexually abused in Shaviyani Atoll of the Maldives in two separate cases. These cases are under investigation by MPS.

On the 14th of May a 35 year old was arrested in Shaviyani Bileiyfahi, in a case involving the sexual abuse of three children under the age of 15 years. Later four other children were taken in by Police in Bileiyfahi, who also are believed to have had and recorded their sexual acts on video. The 3 girls and 4 boys were suspended from school pending investigation. All are students from Bileiyfahi school.

On the 31st of May Zahir, 55 year old was arrested in Shaviyani Funadhoo, allegedly having sexually abused two young girls, one of whom is a 14 year old. The islanders say that the particluar house in which the man was arrested is a house frequented for sex parties by several including atleast 8 children. Several pornographic videos were taken from the scene, according to media reports. The investigation of the involvement of the 14 year old led to a couple who have build a racket for abusing children.

The couple suspected in the case are said to have sexually abuse two other children in addition to the 14 year old. Mareena 26, is reported to have told investigators that she supplies young girls for sex to her 45 year old husband Ali Shiham. She is also said to have been on the same bed when her husband raped the 14 year old. They had also taken her to nearby islands to have sex.

MPS investigators are said to believe that the sexual abuse rackets in the atoll of Shaviyani is far more organized and widespread than previously believed.

Justice Ministry has recently banned all persons including reporters and parents of the abused from attending hearings, in a bid to save the “integrity” of the accused. It is not new in Male’, the capital of the country, where the high class have traditionally sexually abused young girls and boys for their entertainment; perhaps in the absence of other forms of entertainment. Though the same tradition is not practised openly by the descendents, the protection to paedophiles is a sign of the sentiments some of them harbor.