Police have arrested two suspects for alleged human trafficking that involved a lot of victims.
The two suspects were identified as 65-year-old Mohamed Waheed of Henveiru Sea speed and 55-year-old Moosa Fathuhee of Roshaneemaage of Addu City Hithadhoo.
Authorities had confirmed that both the suspects had appeared before the court for their remand hearings and that the court had remanded them in custody for 10 more days.
Court documents state that police had submitted evidence that both the suspects had committed the alleged crime and the police intelligence report includes a statement from a victim as well as witnesses.
In his defense, Waheed's lawyer said that he was an elderly person fighting an illness. The court responded by saying that his defense can submit substantial documents regarding his health at the next hearing after the 10 day remand period is complete.
Police had said that Waheed had been arrested before in relation to a human trafficking case and that he had been threatening his alleged victims.
Meanwhile, Fathuhee's defense said that the defendant had followed instructions from Waheed and was arrested for that.
Human trafficking remains a huge problem that plagues Maldivian society with the country having one of the worst human trafficking records in the region.
