Investigation of the studio rape case had concluded and authorities have sought charges against the suspect.
Police has confirmed of concluding the investigation on a rape case at a studio in the capital city Male' involving one male in his early 30s and a female in her early 20s. The prime suspect has been identified as Hassan Faiz, younger brother of Vilimale' constituency parliamentarian Ahmed Nihan Hussain Manik.
Police had refrained from revealing personal details of the victim, however she has been identified as an aspiring youth in arts field who attended the studio to work on a art project for money in return.
The incident took place on January 3, and the victim claims she was sexually harassed and forced upon by the suspect Faiz. Approximately an hour later from the incident, the victim had managed to make her escape from the venue. She was immediately transported to the hospital by a group of her friends.
However Faiz had reiterated that it was an attempt to soil his reputation due to his family ties with a prominent political member - hinting political and monetary motive behind the act.
Commonly known as "Jason", Faiz was apprehended by authorities from Gaaf Dhaal atoll Thinadhoo post incident. Court had ordered a 10 day remand on him on January 22.
The victim had earlier told Avas that her attacker was a member of a powerful political family who had sexually assaulted her on Wednesday (January 3) evening when she had visited his studio for an art project.
Faiz who is a renowned artist himself had sexually assaulted her despite her best efforts to escape her attacker.
After the alleged rape, the attacker had offered her MVR16,000 in return for her silence. But immediately after the assault, she had gone to the hospital with the help of some her friend before notifying the police
MP Nihan had also shared his take on the whole incident, calling on the police to arrest and punish the perpetrator of such a heinous crime "whoever it maybe".
