Six charges against ex-tuition centre owner suspected of molesting teen

The prosecution has pressed six charges against the former owner of ‘Bright Minds’ tuition centre, Ali Aflah, who is accused of repeatedly sexually abusing a student at the centre over the course of three long years.

Ali Aflah, 27, Hairaath, Hulhumale’, K. Male', was arrested under a court order on February 11, and remanded in custody of the police for 30 days.

He is accused of subjecting a minor he holds a position of authority over to repeated sexual abuse over the course of three years, from ages 14 to 16.

Prosecutor General’s Office, on Saturday, said six charges were filed against Aflah on Tuesday. They include:

• Three counts engaging in a sexual act with a Mahram (a close family member with whom marriage is forbidden)
• One count of grooming a minor with the intention of sexually abusing them
• One count of engaging in a sexual act with a minor while in a position of trust
• One count of obstruction of justice

After these allegations surfaced, Aflah had evaded authorities in an extended period abroad. He was arrested at the airport upon his return to the Maldives on a flight from Mumbai, India.

Aflah has been remanded in custody pending the outcome of his trial.