Blackmail case involving alleged nude photos moves to Supreme Court

The prosecution has filed a petition at the Supreme Court in the case of a man accused of extorting more than MVR 300,000 from a woman by claiming he possessed her nude photographs.

According to police, the suspect, Mohamed Fawaz Luthufee, 32, of Liligasdhoshuge, S. Feydhoo, was arrested last year in connection with the blackmail case. Records show the matter was reported on December 19, 2024, after a man allegedly threatened, blackmailed and extorted over MVR 300,000 from the victim.

The prosecution charged Fawaz with blackmail. However, in April, at the preliminary stage, the Criminal Court ruled that the case could not proceed under civil standards. The prosecution appealed the decision at the High Court, which later upheld the lower court’s ruling.

The High Court bench delivered a split decision. The majority, Chief Judge Abdulla Jameel and Judge Ismail Shafeeu, held that the case could not be prosecuted. The dissenting judge, Fatimath Farheeza, maintained that the Criminal Court’s decision should be quashed.

With the majority opinion prevailing, Fawaz was released from the High Court proceedings. Following the ruling against the state, the prosecution has now taken the matter to the Supreme Court.

According to the Supreme Court registry, the case was filed last week.