Same sex videos: 5 arrested for blackmail
Only three remain in custody after the court did not deem it necessary to remand two of the suspects.
By
Shahudha Mohamed
Five people have been arrested so far in connection to the recording, blackmail and release of videos of a large number of men engaging in same sex acts, police announced Sunday.
However, police told reporters that the court has released two of the suspects on grounds that the court did not deem it necessary to remand them.
Those in custody are:
-
Hamdhoon Abdulla (37), B. Dharavandhoo/Akiri
-
Mohamed Mihad Mustafa (24), B. Dharavandhoo/ Heema
-
Maumoon Moosa (41), Sh. Funadhoo/ Siesta
According to the police:
-
Hamdhoon and Mihad were arrested on 18 September
-
Court remanded Hamdhoon for 15 days in custody
-
Mihad has been remanded for seven days in custody
-
Maumoon was arrested on 20 September and was remanded for 10 days in custody
Police say the investigation is underway.
Videos of Bangladeshi worker MD Alamgir engaging in same sex relations with men were leaked in mid-June.
-
Local men from all walks of life are seen in the videos; top government officials, political figures, and even national security service officers.
-
Before the videos were leaked, some of the people who had engaged in same sex acts with Alamgir were blackmailed and large sums of money were taken from them.
-
In a press conference held on 27 June, police said that they are investigating the blackmail case as a separate case, and that they have identified who the blackmailers are.
-
The blackmail case was reported to the police in March before the videos were leaked, police said.
Several sources have confirmed to Atoll Times that Hamdhoon was the man who rented the apartment that is featured in the leaked videos. In the leaked statement given by Alamgir, Hamdhoon is referred to as his "boss". Hamdhoon has reportedly scammed a lot of money out of people and owes a lot as well.
According to Alamgir’s statement that was leaked, he had recorded video footage of 45-50 people engaging in same sex acts with him.
-
Alamgir has pleaded guilty to all three counts of sexual involvements at court
-
Found guilty for all three charges, he was sentenced by the court on 31 August, to seven months and six days in prison
-
On Saturday, he pleaded guilty to 40 other sexual charges made against him
-
He is expected to face up to three years in prison
