Serial mosque vandal arrested for indecent exposure placed in special needs home

A man arrested for allegedly indecently exposing himself and engaging and lewd acts in front of a woman performing Dhuha prayer has been transferred to the Home for People with Special Needs.

The Maldivian national, who has a history of repeatedly vandalizing mosques, was recently arrested following allegations that he exposed himself and engaged in an act of self-gratification in front of a woman performing her prayers.

The Police, on Thursday, said that measures are being taken to prevent such incidents from recurring.

Responding to a question by Sun, Police Spokesperson Ahmed Shiyam confirmed on Friday that the individual had been transferred to the Home for People with Special Needs in K. Guraidhoo. However, he did not provide further details.

Naushad’s rearrest came a little over a week after his release following a conviction for vandalizing a mosque in Male’.

Naushad was arrested on September 11 on allegations of vandalizing mosques. He was initially remanded in police custody for 15 days, but was ordered to jail pending the outcome of his trial when presented before the Criminal Court for an extension of his remand on September 25.

The Criminal Court found him guilty of the charge on November 1, and sentenced him to one month and 12 days in prison.

However, he had already spent one month and 21 days in jail during the trial – well beyond his prison term.

The court therefore considered it as time served.

Naushad had also been arrested back in 2024 on suspicion of desecrating copies of the Holy Quran and vandalizing the Masjid al-Furqan in Male’ City.