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The High Court yesterday granted the request of Johann Maree, a former police reservist, accused of sexually abusing underage boys, filming, and selling pornographic materials of them on the dark web, to undergo psychiatric evaluation.

According to Maree’s lawyer, Eva Maria Nangolo-Philemon, the request for mental evaluation stems from the fact that he has a history of mental illness.

In granting Maree’s request, Judge Christie Liebenberg also ordered that he be examined by two independent psychiatrists. 

The psychiatrists are tasked to assess Maree’s criminal capacity before trial.

The court postponed the matter to 20 October. 

Maree remains detained at the Windhoek correctional services at the trial awaiting section.

Maree is expected to go on trial in July on 75 criminal charges. 

Of those charges, the State is alleging he sexually abused and exploited 15 teenage boys, while he raped or indecently assaulted 13 of the boys. 

The prosecution further claims he used 10 of the boys in making child pornography, which he then sold on the dark web. 

Maree, who worked as a private investigator and sports photographer was allegedly operating a website under the name ‘Boy Idols’. 

Through police investigations, it was discovered that Maree sold pictures of boys modelling clothes and swimwear. 

According to the police, videos obtained through investigations show minors performing various sexual acts in bathrooms. 

Other videos were filmed in toilets and swimming pools at sporting events in Windhoek. 

These videos were also allegedly sold on the internet.

Maree has since denied the allegation. - mamakali@nepc.com.na

The New Era is a daily national newspaper owned by the government of Namibia. The newspaper is one of four daily national newspapers in the country.