Three arrested for selling pornographic material on Telegram

Police have arrested three individuals for selling pornographic photos and images via Telegram app.

Police said that their Cyber Crime Center had run a special operation to identify and arrest these individuals behind selling pornographic images and videos of locals and foreigners, including of children, through multiple Telegram channels.

The three arrested in relation to this crime have been identified as;

- Zubair Ali, 45, Bahaaruge, Alif Dhaalu atoll Mahibadhoo

- Nasif Ali, 46, Male' Register no. 14751, Male'

- Ismail Rabeeh, 29, Silinco, Kaafu atoll Kaashidhoo

Police said that all three have been placed in remand in custody by the court.

According to Police, Zubair has been presented at court four times. At the August 30 hearing, he has been placed in remand in custody for 15 days.

Nasif has been taken to court three time, with his remand being set at 15 days at last Thursday's hearing.

Zubair and Nasif were arrested on August 10.

Rabeeh was arrested on August 20. At his second appearance in court, he was placed on 15 days remand on Thursday.

Police said that following the arrests, 14 digital electronic devices related to the case have been seized and investigated. Through this, nine Telegram accounts created under their names have been seized by the Police.

In addition to this, 571 Telegram channels with pornographic photos and images have been seized by the police.

"The investigation has revealed that these channels have posted 241,651 pornographic images and 86,618 pornographic videos (including those of underage children below the age of 18) of Maldivian women," Police said.

The investigation uncovered that 43 Telegram channels engaged in posting pornographic images and videos of children.

The channels have 3,4680 paid subscribers, Police said. The accused have received approximately MVR 2 million as subscription fees, they said.