The Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) has formally charged Hussain Sunny Umar of G. Maavashi with multiple counts of sexual abuse against a child, spanning several years. The allegations, filed under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, include repeated instances of sexual misconduct and obstruction of justice.
Charges Detail Alleged Abuse and Obstruction
According to a statement released yesterday, the PGO submitted five charges against Umar to the court. Three of these charges pertain to sexual abuse, specifically under Section 3 of the Act, which covers touching a child with sexual intent.
The breakdown of the charges is as follows:
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Sexual abuse of a child under seven years old, occurring over multiple occasions and continuing until August 2025.
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Sexual abuse between ages 9 and 10, and between ages 10 and 11.
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Obstruction of justice under Section 530, for allegedly providing false information during a police investigation.
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Providing false information to a government authority during an investigation conducted by the PGO.
Each of the three sexual abuse charges carries a potential sentence of 10 to 14 years. The remaining two charges carry shorter prison terms of one year, seven months and six days, and four months and 24 days, respectively. The PGO has requested the court to impose a cumulative sentence of 44 years if Umar is found guilty on all counts.
Arrest and Detention
Authorities confirmed that Umar has been held in remand since 2 January 2026. He was initially summoned to the Family and Child Protection Department for questioning upon returning to the Maldives on 1 December 2025 and released afterward. Umar was subsequently re-arrested at Velana International Airport while attempting to leave the country.
Legal Proceedings Ahead
The PGO emphasized that the charges reflect the severity of the alleged offenses, highlighting the ongoing commitment of Maldivian authorities to protect children from abuse. The case will now proceed through the courts, where the requested 44-year sentence will be considered if the charges are proven.
This case marks one of the most serious prosecutions under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act in recent years, drawing attention to the vigilance of law enforcement agencies in pursuing justice for vulnerable victims.
