Rwandan authorities have busted a ring of young men and women who have been filming themselves engaged in sexual acts and distributing it to willing buyers.
The Rwanda Investigations Bureau (RIB) this week arrested seven individuals involved in these acts, five women and two men aged between 20 and 28 years.
The group includes Ishimwe Patrick, Uwineza Nelly Sany, Gihozo Pascaline, Kwizera Emelyne, Uwase Sariha, Uwase Belyse, Shakira Uwase, Rucyahana David, and Banza Julien.
Emelyne has been trending on social media in recent days after an alleged explicit video of her went viral.
Seven have been arrested, while two are being investigated without detention.
They had allegedly created a WhatsApp group of nine people called the “Rich Gang,” where they coordinated their activities and distributed the pornographic videos.
The investigation also uncovered that some individuals, including both men and women, encourage others to share explicit content in exchange for large sums of money.
Some even offer phone numbers and invite others to DM them for such content, which constitutes premeditated criminal activity and is punishable by law.
The suspects were held Gikondo, Kacyiru, Kicukiro, Remera and Kimironko RIB stations awaiting arraignment.
Police said some were found to have used narcotic drugs, including cannabis.
“Some individuals have been found to be creating WhatsApp groups from which they spread explicit videos. We urge those involved to stop because such acts contravene the law and are punishable by law. All social media platforms are considered public spaces,” said RIB spokesperson Thierry Murangira.
“This practice must stop, because no one can claim their private photos were leaked, as it involves accomplices.”
The arrests followed the circulation of an explicit video on social media suspected to involve one of the arrested girls.
The case in a largely conservative Rwandan society has evoked a collective angst among the public and authorities.
But some critics took to social media to condemn the arrests, saying the arrested people were victims and the police should instead arrest those who circulate the videos.
In his recent prayer breakfast speech, President Paul Kagame castigated young people who share nude photos and videos of themselves online.
“I follow some of these scandals on social media,” the President said. “You find young people posing nude in public spaces; what are they exhibiting that other people don’t have?”
“There are no religious or family values centred around appearing naked, the nakedness of such people starts in the mind. Others are abusing drugs, which is the starting point of many of these other ills that even end up splitting families.”
President Kagame challenged families to instil values and raise their children well to strengthen the Rwandan family unit.
“What is our role, as leaders in government, religions or parents in addressing these problems? We can’t look the other way. What would our responsibilities be then?” the head of State said.
Police say investigations have revealed that some people have become matchmakers, or brokers facilitating the spread of explicit content.
Distributing pornographic material via computers or other digital networks is punishable by imprisonment for three to five years, along with a fine between Rwf1 million ($712) and Rwf3 million.
Convictions for drug use or pharmaceutical abuse may lead to one to two years of imprisonment or community service.
Eavesdropping, recording, or broadcasting private conversations could lead to imprisonment for six months to one year.
Meanwhile, distributing obscene content via technological means may result in imprisonment for six months to two years.
(The East African & IGIHE)
