Man fined MVR 18,000 after pornographic material found on phone

The Criminal Court has fined a man MVR 18,000 after police found more than 1,900 pornographic photos and videos on a mobile phone seized during an investigation into allegations involving a 15-year-old boy.

The court identified the defendant as Ali Ahmed, from Dhoodigan ward in Fuvahmulah.

Police initially investigated Ahmed in 2024 over allegations that he had groomed and exploited a 15-year-old boy on multiple occasions for the purpose of sexual abuse.

His mobile phone was seized during that investigation and examined by police.

According to findings cited by the Criminal Court, investigators recovered 1,378 pornographic videos and 566 pornographic photographs from the device.

Police also found records of conversations concerning sexual relations between men on social media platforms and evidence that Ahmed participated in groups where related content was discussed.

The case before the Criminal Court concerned possession of pornographic material.

Ahmed requested that the court convert the custodial sentence for the offence into a fine on the grounds that he was employed and had the means to pay a financial penalty.

The court granted the request and converted a three-month prison sentence into a fine of MVR 18,000.

In reaching the decision, the court considered that Ahmed had no previous criminal record and that the offence for which he was being sentenced did not involve violence or coercion.

The court also considered his employment and ability to pay the fine.