Alleged kidnappers under pretext of Rugyah remanded in custody

Two people arrested for alleged kidnapping, sexual and physical abuse of a family under the pretext of Ruqyah has been remanded to custody by the courts.

Police arrested the two individuals for the incident which happened on an island in the North division of the Maldives. 

Police said that the family of three children and their mother were kidnapped and that the family had suffered sexual and physical abuse at the hands of the perpetrators. 

Ruqyah is the practice of treating illnesses and other issues through the holy book of the Quran as prescribed in the religion of Islam. 

Those arrested are Maldivian males aged 24 and 39. The 39-year-old was ordered to be placed in custody until the end of the trial while the remaining man was ordered to be detained for a period of 15 days.

Police and the Gender Ministry are investigating the case as a serious crime. Police have also advised citizens to remain alert against such crimes and to advise the authorities of any relevant information.