Three individuals have been arrested for running 571 Telegram channels to sell pornographic content, police have said.

They were arrested as part of a special operation by the Cyber Crime Centre for selling and distributing pornographic videos and photos through Telegram channels on a commercial basis for financial gains, police said.

Zubair Ali, 45, Mahibadhoo, and Nasif Ali, 46, Male', were arrested on 10 August while Ismail Rabeeh, 29, Kaashidhoo was arrested on 20 August. Nasif and Rabbet were remanded for 15-days on August 5 and Zubair was remanded for 15-days on 30 September.

According to the police, the channels contain pornographic of locals and foreigners amounting to 241,651 photos and 86,618 videos. The channels also contained photographs and videos of minors.

The investigation also revealed that 43 channels were run to post pornographic pictures and videos of children. During investigation, it was found that 3,468 people had subscribed to the channels by entering the channels and paying subscription fees amounting to MVR 2 million.

The three accused were arrested and 14 digital electronic devices related to the case were searched and nine Telegram accounts created in their names were seized and sealed by the police, they said.