Same-sex videos: Blackmail suspect remanded for extra 15 days
Police initially arrested five people in connection to the recording, blackmail and release of videos of a large number of men engaging in same sex acts.
By
Mohamed Muzayyin Nazim
Criminal Court on Tuesday extended the remand period of Hamdhoon Abdulla, who was arrested for allegedly blackmailing a large number of men using same-sex videos.
Hamdhoon, who was arrested from HA. Hoarafushi on September 18, was summoned to the Criminal Court on Wednesday upon expiry of his initial 15-day remand period.
A police spokesperson told Atoll Times that the court ordered Hamdhoon to be detained for an additional 15 days.
Police initially arrested five people in connection to the recording, blackmail and release of videos of a large number of men engaging in same sex acts. However, the court had released two of the suspects on grounds that the court did not deem it necessary to remand them.
The Criminal Court released Maumoon Moosa (41), Sh. Funadhoo/Siesta after he was brought to the court on Saturday upon expiry of his 10-day remand period.
Meanwhile, the court had on Friday extended the remand of Mohamed Mihad Mustafa (24), B. Dharavandhoo/ Heema by seven days.
Videos of Bangladeshi worker MD Alamgir engaging in same sex relations with men were leaked in mid-June.
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Local men from all walks of life are seen in the videos; top government officials, political figures, and even national security service officers.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Alamgir pleaded guilty to all three counts of sexual involvements; he was sentenced by the court on 31 August, to seven months and six days in prison
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On Thursday, he was sentenced to another three years in prison after he pleaded guilty to 40 charges of making pornography
