PG declines to sue president over journalist's threat
PG office said the President’s statements did not meet the legal criteria for a criminal threat.
The Prosecutor General’s Office has decided not to pursue the case filed against President Mohamed Muizzu over allegations of threatening Hussain Fiyaz Moosa, the CEO of Adhadhu newspaper and a journalist.
According to a statement previously issued by the newspaper, the President allegedly called Fiyaz and expressed anger over comments made by a member of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) regarding a member of his family during anti-government protests. The newspaper stated that the President had threatened to take the strongest action against Adhadhu and Fiyaz.
Following this, Adhadhu lodged a complaint with the police. The case was investigated and submitted to the duty prosecution within 10 days.
In a statement issued Monday, the Prosecutor General’s Office said it had reviewed the evidence obtained by the police and found that the President’s statements did not meet the legal criteria for a criminal threat.
The office cited Chapter 120 of the Penal Code, which defines a threat as reckless conduct that causes a person to fear death or serious bodily injury, or as a threat to commit an offence that may cause harm.
It also referred to Section 2 of the Intimidation and Possession of Dangerous Weapons and Sharp Objects Act, which defines a threat as an act of harming or threatening to harm a person, their family member, or someone under their guardianship.
The office stated that while Fiyaz had filed the complaint based on the President’s call, the statements made did not constitute a criminal offence under the relevant legal provisions.
