Malé, Maldives – The authorities on Friday seized the passport of prominent lawyer Nazim Abdul Sattar amid investigations regarding a video portraying sexual intercourse between two men, one allegedly Sattar.
Sattar, also representing Speaker Nasheed in court for the May 6 blast, was brought in for questioning on Friday night by the police.
The video leaked on social media shows two men engaged in sexual acts. Some on social media allege that one man is a Bangladeshi citizen while the other is Sattar.
Sattar has denied the allegations.
Police did not identify why Sattar was questioned, however, confirmed that they are investigating a case of blackmail with multiple victims.
Social media users have started a campaign calling to arrest Sattar and nullify his law license. The opposition has also urged the police to conduct a full investigation regarding the leaked video.
Police released a statement notifying that they were investigating the video incident.
Maldives adopted a new Penal Code in 2014 which criminalises same-sex sexual activity, as well as explicitly criminalising same-sex marriage. Maldives also abides by Islamic Shariah law, under which same-sex sexual activity is prohibited. Same-sex sexual activity carries a maximum penalty of eight years imprisonment and 100 lashes.
Criminal Provisions
- Penal Code 2014, Section 410(a)(8) Unlawful Marriage Section 410(a)(8) prohibits same-sex marriage with a penalty of up to one year imprisonment.
- Penal Code 2014, Section 411(a)(2) Unlawful Sexual Intercourse Section 411(a)(2) criminalises intercourse between persons of the same sex with a penalty of up to eight years imprisonment.
- Section 411(d) permits an additional penalty under Sharia law of 100 lashes. This provision is applicable to both men and women.
- Penal Code 2014, Section 412 Unlawful Sexual Contact Section 412 prohibits sexual contact with a person of the same sex with a penalty of up to eight years imprisonment. This law applies equally to men and women.
Reports suggest that multiple high-profile individuals were video graphed at guesthouses in a blackmail operation.
