3 sentenced to jail for blackmail, robbery
The victim was reportedly tortured, stripped of his dignity, and threatened with a knife.
Criminal Court on Wednesday sentenced three individuals to jail for blackmailing and robbing a man in a house in Malé.
The court found the defendants guilty of luring a victim to their home, stripping him naked, threatening him with a knife, and coercing him into transferring money from his bank account.
The incident took place on July 24 at a house named Ma. Masfan. The victim was reportedly tortured, stripped of his dignity, and threatened with a knife. His mobile phone was confiscated, his bank account was accessed without authorization, and his cash card was used to withdraw money from an ATM.
The three individuals involved were arrested in September and charged with multiple offenses. The court found all three guilty and issued the following sentences:
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Robbery: 9 months and 18 days
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Assault: 2 months and 12 days
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Unauthorized access to information: 4 months and 24 days
The convicted include:
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Aishath, 43, residing in Ma. Masfan
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Mohamed Reehan, 27, also from Ma. Masfan
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Shafeeq Ibrahim, 35, from Soma, Addu Hithadhoo
Aishath and Reehan were noted to be from the same household, indicating a possible family link in the operation of the crime.
This incident is part of a worrying pattern of increased kidnapping, blackmail, and robbery cases reported in recent months.
Authorities have urged the public to exercise caution and report suspicious activities, as efforts to curb these criminal activities intensify.