Teacher accused of grooming multiple students granted conditional release

A school teacher detained on suspicion of grooming multiple students by discussing age-inappropriate topics has been released from police custody.

The teacher, identified as a 29-year-old male, was granted conditional release by a local magistrate court on Wednesday.

The case against him was reported to the South-Central Police Division – which covers islands in M. Atoll, F. Atoll, Dh. Atoll, Th. Atoll, and L. Atoll – on October 17.

He was arrested 10 days later on October 27.

The magistrate court of the island initially remanded him in custody of the police for 20 days, and later extended it by 30 more days.

A spokesperson from the police told Sun that the remand period expired on Tuesday, and that the court granted him conditional release on Wednesday morning, when presented before the court for an extension to his remand.

The spokesperson added that the case against him was forwarded to the Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) for criminal charges on November 25.

Crimes against children are treated by the police as serious offenses. The law enforcement agency does not disclose the island where such crimes take place in order to protect the identity of victims.

Special Provisions Act to Deal with Child Sex Offenders, which declares special provisions to deal with child sex offenders both at investigative and trial stages, prescribes a prison sentence of 15 to 18 years, if the person who carried out the offense holds a position of authority over the victim.

Those with information regarding crimes against children are urged to call the Maldives Police Service’s Family and Child Protection Department at 3000600 or the Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services’ helpline 1412.