The man arrested with regards to the alleged sexual abuse of two children in Hulhumale' has been released.

Maldives Police Service confirmed that the Criminal Court had released the man, however did not provide the details of the reason behind the decision.

The man was released under certain conditions, citing that the police had acted illegally. Criminal procedures state that if a suspect is arrested without a court order, the person should be brought in to the nearest police station at the soonest. The police had taken him to the one further at the time of his arrest.

He was arrested on May 25, around 22:45.

Videos circulating on social media reveal the man confessing to sexually abusing the children repeatedly and hitting them as well as a graphic description of what he did to the children.