Police find no evidence in case of adult accused of exposing minor to explicit content

No evidence has been found in a case where an adult is accused of showing pornographic content to a 14 year old and sending the material to the teenager's phone, barring the child's statement, said Maldives Police Service.

In the case, which was reported on January 22, 2022, following claims by the now 17 year old, police said a forensic analysis was carried out on the accused's mobile phone and laptop. Statements from six individuals and an additional two others were also collected in connection the case, the agency said.

"The above mentioned [phone, laptop and people's statements] analysis and statements, other than the child's statement, have not yielded any proof or evidence related to the case or supporting the allegations," police said in a message to its media group.

Police said the suspect allegedly sent messages to the child's phone but that nothing related to the case was found in the forensic analysis of the child's phone either.

The agency detailed that the case was investigated and sent to the Prosecutor General's Office on April 22, 2024, but received recommendation for some amendments. According to police, the case remains pending as the petitioner had not cooperated in making the amendments.

"Police are doing their best to complete the investigation in this case," police said.