Police warn action against those who paid to access sexually explicit photos

The police said on Thursday that they will not only take action against the people who use Telegram channels to distribute sexually explicit photos and videos, but also people who subscribe to such channels to access such material.

In a press briefing on Thursday afternoon, Police Inspector Azeef Abbas said that the law allows for such individuals who be penalized, and that the police will not hesitate to take necessary action.

“In this case, we are working with the PG [Prosecutor General’s Office] to take legal action against the subscribers and other parties involved,” he said.

The police have seized 571 Telegram channels in the crackdown on digital sex crimes.

These channels were used to share 241,651 sexually explicit images and 86,618 videos of Maldivian females, including minors.

43 channels were found to be used specifically to distribute child pornography, along with their identities.

The police said that 34,680 individuals paid subscription fees to the channels, with those running the channels collecting around MVR 2 million in subscription fees alone.

Three people have been arrested for running nine of the channels. They are:

• Ismail Zabeeh, 29, Silinko, K. Kaashidhoo
• Nasif Ali, 46, Dhafthar no. 14751, K. Male’
• Zubair Ali, 45, Bahaaruge, ADh. Mahibadhoo

Zubair and Nasif were arrested on August 10, while Zabeeh was arrested on August 20.

Azeef told reporters on Thursday that Zabeeh was arrested after a victim reported to the police that he threatened to leak her pictures on Telegram. The police searched his phone and found evidence linking him to multiple crimes.

The police also found sexually explicit photos and videos as well as evidence of financial transactions from Nasif’s phone.

And from Zubair’s phone, police found sexually explicit photos and videos of children, and evidence he actively sought to secure such material. Azeef said that there’s also evidence that he extorted victims who asked to have their photos and videos removed from the channels. He also sought sexual favors from victims.

“We found that he also sexually harassed and even requested for sexual favors,” said Azeef.