Ex Maldivian State Minister of Finance arrested in Sri Lanka over child exploitation case

Former Maldivian State Minister of Finance and former Chairman of Dhiraagu Mohamed Ashmalee has been arrested over sexual exploitation of a 15 year old child in Sri Lanka.

The 45 year old Maldivian national among the arrested suspects is former state minister Ashmalee, Maldivian based Mihaaru News reported. The girl had been sexually exploited in Mount Lavinia area for over a period of three months according to the police.

Police have identified additional 12 suspects and they are yet to arrested.

Police suspects Ashmalee been a customer to have sexual relations with the child. It is believed he aided the network that continued to exploit her. However as this is an ongoing investigation, Police did not confirm whether they are accusing Ashmalee of having sexual encounter with her. This case is being investigated as a child exploitation case.

So far, among the arrested individuals, the mother of the child is included in addition to an auto-driver, a car driver, a gem businessman, a monk, Captain of a ship, website owner, hotel manager and the person who has designed the advertisement. (The Edition)