Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) has pressed charges against six staff members of the state care shelter, Kudakudhinge’ Hiya, in relation to physical and psychological abuse of children accommodated at the facility.
PGO said charges against six staff of Kudakudhinge’ Hiya were forwarded to the Criminal Court on December 9. As such, PGO revealed charges have been pressed against Mohamed Shareef, Hussain Ahmed, Ali Ahsan, Najeeh Ahmed, Ahmed Wanoodh and Hussain Hamdhoon in relation to physical abuse, psychological abuse and obstruction of justice.
The incidents occurred during 2017 and 2018, when staff of the state care shelter reportedly tormented the children and caused physical and psychological distress. The case was originally investigated by the Presidential Commission Inquiring into Child Rights Violations. The Prosecutor General subsequently ordered a police investigation into the case after identifying criminal offences upon the initial investigation.
Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem had earlier revealed he would be advocating in court himself during the trial of the case. This would be just the second case in which the Prosecutor General would be advocating in court.