Woman being forced into prostitution rescued by police

A woman who is suspected of having been forced into prostitution was rescued by Maldives Police Service on Friday night.

The police revealed that the woman was located in a house in Macchangolhi ward on May 20 in an operation executed after they received reports of prostitution.

Three men in addition to the victim were at the scene when the police arrived. All three men and the victim were Bangladeshi nationals, said the police. The three men have now been remanded 15 days in custody.

The police reported that the woman was being forced into prostitution by her husband, and had suffered physical abuse at the hands of her husband, signs of which were visible on her body. The woman’s passport was also seized by her husband.

“We arranged a safe house for the victim on May 23 and we moved her to the location the same day. The woman remained under police custody until then”, said the police.

The details of the husband were shared with Maldives Immigration, and the man was detained at Velana International Airport as he attempted to flee the country with his wife’s passport. The 39 year old man is currently under police custody, and has been remanded for seven days by the Criminal Court.

The couple arrived in Maldives on May 15 under a tourist visa. The police are investigating the case as a serious human trafficking offense.