5 July 2021 04:45 pm
Four more persons including former Maldives State Minister of Finance Mohamed Ashmalee and a manager of a hotel have been arrested yesterday for sexually exploiting the 15-year old girl, police said.
They were remanded till July 16 after being produced before the Hulftsdorp Magistrate Court.
Police Spokesman SDIG Ajith Rohana said already 32 suspects including the girl's mother, Deputy Chairman of the Mihintale Pradeshiya Sabha and a leading gem businessman have been arrested so far by the Police Children and Women's Bureau in connection with the crime over three months.
The Police have launched an investigation for this malicious act, following an arrest of a 35-year old man.
It was revealed that the suspect had published numerous advertisements on websites luring people to exploit the girl for their sexual thirst.
Investigation have disclosed that the main suspect had advertised on five websites and the police arrested two owners of the websites so far.
Probe is underway to arrest the owners of the remaining websites.
A hotel manager was arrested on Sunday and 12 more persons are being searched on charges of providing rooms, SDIG Rohana said.(Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya)