A 58-year-old man has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for the sexual abuse of a person with special needs. The court delivered the verdict following a successful investigation by the Maldives Police Service and prosecution by the Prosecutor General’s Office.

The defendant, identified as Abdullah Waheed Moosa of Navva, Funadu, Fuvahmulah, was charged under Law No. 12/2009. The case involved acts of sexual misconduct against a vulnerable individual, which the court found were proven beyond a reasonable doubt after reviewing the evidence and legal arguments presented during the trial.

The final sentencing took place on April 19, 2026. While the initial punishment was set at 18 years, the court applied Section 186 of the Criminal Procedure Act to deduct the time already spent in custody. Having served 1 year, 7 months, and 9 days in pre-trial detention, the defendant will now serve a remaining term of 16 years, 4 months, and 21 days in prison.

The Maldives Police Service emphasized that this conviction marks a significant step in their ongoing efforts to protect persons with special needs and ensure that perpetrators of sexual violence are brought to justice. Authorities reaffirmed their commitment to investigating such crimes without hesitation to safeguard vulnerable members of the community.