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From an anti-sexual abuse rally held in Male City: a case related to child pornography is being investigated. Dhauru File Photo/ Masha Naeem

Maldives police probe uptick in child pornography downloads

“According to our findings, this includes photos and videos of children between the ages of two and 18,” Sofwath said.

18 March 2024

By Mohamed Muzayyin Nazim

Police are investigating cases of downloading child pornography, the agency said Sunday.

Police made the announcement at a press conference held at Iskandhar Koshi to brief the media on some of the investigations, led by Superintendent of Police Ahmed Sofwath Rauf, who is temporarily in charge of the department for crimes against children.

Sofwath said it came to the attention of the police from a foreign law enforcement agency. The agency has also shared information with the police about those who are doing it, he said.

“The issues of these downloaded images [and] videos of children, including IDs [and] mobile numbers belonging to Maldives, using various social media applications, are being treated as very serious issues,” Sofwath said.

According to Sofwath:

  • So far, two such cases have been investigated and one was sent for prosecution last October

  • The case of a 32-year-old man was sent for prosecution

  • The second case is still under investigation

“According to our findings, this includes photos and videos of children between the ages of two and 18,” Sofwath said.

He said training is being conducted through foreign police to enhance the police's ability to investigate such crimes.

Police said that apart from the locals, a large number of foreigners also have explicit photos of children on various social media platforms.

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