'Maymona' was allegedly kidnapped in Mauritania Mauritanian police have arrested a girl who was allegedly kidnapped by a group of teenagers. The authorities have come under fresh criticism for their decision. The girl, known only has Maymuna, has been in frequent reports since disappearing outside her house in east Nouakchott in March.
The police claim the girl faked her own kidnapping after finding her living with a young man. The man was under judicial supervision on suspicion of his involvement in drug trafficking. When detained, the man denied kidnapping Maymuna, claiming that he had saved her from another group.
Maymuna backed the man’s story but the investigators remained unconvinced. Following further interrogation by the police, the girl admitted she had run away to be with him because they were in love.
She confirmed they had lived together as husband and wife, but the man denies sleeping together.
The denial was proved false and a medical exam showed Maymuna to have recently lost her virginity.
Prosecutors charged both with committing sex before marriage. The girl pleaded guilty, while the man maintained his innocence.
Mauritania has seen a recent surge of girls being kidnapped from outside their homes and schools. The police say some young women are taking advantage of these events to run away with lovers.