Police investigate after officer accused of involvement in Dhiffushi mob attack

Police have begun an investigation into allegations a police officer was involved in the recent mob attack on a man accused of sexually abusing a teenage girl.

The incident in question took place on Thursday, July 14.

Mohamed Shiham, 35, GA. Vilingili, who was visiting Dhiffushi was accused of sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl.

A mob of angry locals banded together, stripped off his clothes, and beat him.

Shiham claimed one of four police officers dispatched to contain the mob refused to assist him and verbally abused him.

“There was a police sergeant there. A man of huge stature. I think he’s from Thulusdhoo. He told me not to think I could do whatever I wanted. That it was their neighborhood, their region. That I would leave the island on a stretcher. That I would go straight under their grasp. That he would teach me a lesson. This is what the people who came to protect me said,” said Shiham, who is admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of ADK Hospital in Male’ City.

A police spokesperson confirmed the Professional Standards Command was investigating an allegation that one of the police officers dispatched to protect the man injured in the mob attack failed to fulfil his duty and acted in violation of disciplinary standards.

Meanwhile, a 22-year-old has been arrested for attacking a police officer dispatched to stop the mob.