Tuition center owner accused of repeatedly molesting teen over three years

One of the owners of Bright Minds, a tuition center located in Male’, who was arrested last week, is suspected of repeatedly sexually abusing a student at the center 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.

In a statement on Tuesday, the police disclosed the full identity of the suspect, previously identified only as a 27-year-old male.

Aflah 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.

The case remains under further investigation by the police.

Special Provisions Act to Deal with Child Sex Offenders, which declares special provisions to deal with child sex offenders at both 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 Social and Family Development’s helpline 1412.