Home minister: Perpetrators of violence against children will be meted out ‘harshest punishment’

Home Minister Ali Ihusan says he will ensure that perpetrators of violence against children are meted out the harshest punishment possible.

He made the remark in a post on X on early Saturday morning.

It came after a disturbing video emerged on social media on Friday which showed a young boy get bullied and physically assaulted in a mosque during Tarawih prayer time the night before.

Ihusan said the video has come to the attention of the police, and that they were working to quickly identify the perpetrators and take action.

ކުޑަކުއްޖަކަށް އަނިޔާކުރާ މަންޒަރު ފެންނަ ވީޑިއޯއެއް ވަނީ @PoliceMv ގެސަމާލުކަމަށް އައިސްފައި. މިކަން ކުރިފަރާތްތައް ހޯދައި އަވަހަށް ފިޔަވަޅުއެޅުމަށް ފުލުހުން ދަނީ މަސައްކަތްކުރަމުން. މިފަދަކަންކަން މުޖުތަމައުގައި ހިންގާފަރާތްތަކާއިމެދު އެޅެންއޮތް އެއްމެ ހަރުކަށި ފިޔަވަޅު…

— Minister of Homeland Security & Technology (@min_mohst) April 5, 2024

The police have issued a separate statement confirming they are investigating the case as a serious matter.

The police identified the perpetrators as a 13-year-old boy and a 14-year-old boy.

They also urged the public not to share such videos on social media to protect the dignity of child victims and prevent them from getting re-victimized.

The police said they are collaborating with relevant institutions to provide psychosocial support to the young boy.