Former Maldives State Minister of Finance, Mohamed Ashmalee, and 16 other individuals have been released from a magisterial inquiry concerning the alleged sexual exploitation of a 15-year-old girl in 2021.
Colombo Additional Magistrate Keminda Perera ordered the release of the 17 suspects, including the former Maldives State Minister of Finance, a former Deputy Chairman of the Mihintale Pradeshiya Sabha, and a cardiologist, from the magisterial inquiry. This decision follows the advice of the Attorney General.
The Attorney General has instructed the release of these suspects from the case, citing insufficient evidence and indicating no intention to pursue legal action against them.
The Police Children and Women's Bureau had initiated an investigation into the suspects under the Penal Code for offenses related to procuring an underage girl for prostitution and human trafficking.
Earlier, 32 suspects, including the girl's mother, a local politician from the north central province and a leading gem businessman have been arrested in connection with the case.
