The Maldives Police Service (MPS) has announced the arrest of two individuals allegedly involved in operating Telegram channels that encouraged serious criminal activities.
The MPS is currently investigating a case concerning several Telegram channels, namely Jazeera Admin, Jazeera Girls, Jazeera Escort Gallery, Jazeera Scam Alert, and Jazeera Link Khabaru. Following an operation conducted by the MPS cyber policing centre on March 6, a 28-year-old male and a 39-year-old female have been arrested for their roles in managing these channels.
The seized channels are now under MPS custody, undergoing analysis. MPS stated that the arrested individuals face charges including money laundering, drug trafficking, prostitution, and promoting prostitution. Investigations suggest that these individuals have engaged in numerous financial transactions inconsistent with their known occupations.
MPS stated that the two arrested individuals were initially presented before the court and remanded in custody for five days. Subsequently, they appeared before the Criminal Court for a second remand hearing and were ordered to remain in custody for an additional 30 days.
MPS has issued a public appeal urging all individuals to refrain from participating in such unlawful activities.