Health

Izaam Mohamed Saeed, who was charged in connection with the rape of a woman inside a restaurant in Male', has been sentenced to 15 years in prison by the Criminal Court today. In the verdict delivered on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, it was determined that the state's charge of rape against him was proven to the required standard. The incident previously took place inside a restroom of a restaurant in Male', and the court today issued a fair decision in this matter and imposed the deserved punishment on him.

The Maldives Police Service has submitted a case to the relevant authorities on December 30, 2025, requesting that a specific group be designated as a criminal gang or criminal organization. The police took this step with the aim of stopping dangerous fights and criminal acts that disrupt public order being carried out by the group, and ensuring the safety and security of the society. With the submission of this case, procedures have now begun to designate the group as a legally prohibited criminal group. This decision is an important step taken by the police in their efforts against gang crimes.

Today (30 December 2025), serious cases of child abuse surfaced via TikTok Live, and the relevant authorities have begun investigating the matter. This investigation is focused on taking strict action against those who exploit children in live broadcasts for financial gain and commit acts that demean their dignity. The relevant authorities have stated that this investigation has also begun looking into TikTok's security measures to ensure the safety of children on social media platforms.

Significant progress has been made today, December 30, 2025, in the investigation of the child sexual abuse case against Sunny Umar. Authorities today revealed that major progress has been made in the evidence gathering and evaluation phase of this case, and this has been noted as an important step towards establishing justice. Work is now underway to investigate further aspects of the case and complete the information needed to expedite the case through the judicial process. With these new advances in the investigation, efforts to bring justice to the victims have been further strengthened.

On December 30th of this year, STO announced that a major solution has been found for the difficulties in obtaining medicine in the Maldivian market, and the availability of medicine has greatly improved. As part of the company's ongoing efforts to continuously provide essential medicines needed by the Maldives, the stock needed by hospitals and pharmacies has now been replenished. STO notes that with this change, the difficulties faced by the general public in obtaining medicine will come to an end, and the operations of healthcare facilities will be further strengthened. The company has today assured that special priority will continue to be given to ensuring the safety of medicines in the future.

The practical work of the newly constructed Health Center in K. Huraa officially began on December 30, 2025. This project is an important undertaking by the government to provide quality health services to the people of the island. With the commencement of the construction of the new Health Center building, it is hoped that significant progress will be made in the island's health system. This new building will solve existing difficulties and pave the way for treatment with modern facilities.

The Maldives Police Service announced on December 30, 2025, that group-related crimes have significantly decreased with the newly implemented law to establish road safety. Police statistics show that the crime rate has decreased since the implementation of this new law, due to the strengthening of measures with the help of the powers legally granted to the police. The police have noted that this change has led to a major advancement in efforts to ensure public safety and security.

Some individuals were taken into police custody on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, for illegal foreign currency transactions at Velana International Airport. This action was an important part of a special operation conducted by the police to stop black market transactions in the airport area. The people arrested in this case were individuals who, without a license to exchange foreign currency, were illegally trading dollars targeting tourists and the general public arriving at the airport. The police are currently further investigating the matter and working to find additional parties involved in this.

Out of the vehicles taken under police custody for illegal parking on the streets of Hulhumalé, 105 vehicles were returned to their owners on Tuesday, 30 December 2025. These vehicles were released as part of the special efforts carried out by the police to organize the streets of Hulhumalé and to resolve the difficulties faced by the public in transportation. Accordingly, after completing the prescribed procedures for releasing the towed vehicles, a large number of motorcycles and cars were handed over to their owners today. The police have appealed to the public to park vehicles in designated areas in order to maintain road safety and security.

On Tuesday, December 30th of this ongoing month, some foreigners were arrested in a special operation conducted by the police on suspicion of illegally possessing alcohol in the Maldives. Police have informed that a large number of alcohol bottles were found in the possession of the foreigners arrested in this case, and this operation was carried out based on information received from the public. Work is now underway to take the necessary legal action against the arrested individuals. Relevant authorities have revealed that further investigations are being conducted regarding this incident.

As part of the efforts by the police against narcotics, on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, in a special operation conducted in an island of Shaviyani Atoll, individuals were arrested with narcotics. In connection with this case, items suspected to be narcotics were found in locations searched by the police, and this operation was a planned activity carried out to find those who trade and use narcotics in that atoll. The police are now further investigating the case of the arrested individuals, and this is part of the continuous work being done by the police to secure the society.

The Maldives Police Service announced today that 300 children active in the criminal environment and at high risk of exposure to dangerous crimes have now been identified. These children have been identified as "high risk" children who could pose a threat to the safety of the society, and police noted that this includes children involved in gang crimes and drug trafficking. This decision is an important step in the special efforts being made to prevent juvenile delinquency and bring the children back into society. Police further said that they are now working with the relevant authorities to provide the necessary rehabilitation assistance to the identified children.

A special clinic for children was officially opened at the Maafannu Urban Health Center in Male' on Tuesday, December 30, 2025. This clinic was established as part of the government's efforts to arrange easy access to health services for the people living in different areas of Male'. This new clinic will reduce the reliance on large hospitals such as IGMH for the treatment of children's illnesses and will provide great relief to families living in the Maafannu area. With the opening of this clinic today, the services of the Urban Health Center will be further expanded, and it is expected to play an important role in ensuring the health and well-being of children.

Statistics released by the Ministry of Social and Family Development on 30 December 2025 show that the reporting rate of child sexual abuse cases has increased this year. Although delays in reporting these cases were noted, authorities say that the increase in the number of cases reported by victims and families is a sign of growing awareness of such issues. State institutions are now working to identify the reasons for the delay in reporting cases and to address them.