Parliament rejects motion on police search of Adhadhu office

An emergency motion submitted to Tuesday’s sitting of the People's Majlis concerning the police search of news outlet Adhadhu has been rejected.

The motion was submitted by Meekail Ahmed Naseem, Member of Parliament for South Galolhu and a member of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). It sought to raise concerns over police entry into the outlet’s office and the seizure of items following a documentary containing allegations against President Mohamed Muizzu.

Meekail argued that the matter concerned press freedom and should be brought to the government’s attention.

Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla announced that the motion could not be accepted because it did not comply with the Standing Orders of Parliament.

In the motion, Meekail said the Media and Broadcasting Regulation Act provides a mechanism for dealing with disputes relating to published content. He argued that bypassing that process and using police powers to search and seize property from a media office amounted to interference with media freedom.

He also stated that there were grounds to suspect the action was intended to shut down the outlet.

In rejecting the motion, the Speaker said emergency motions must be based on facts. He noted that police had confirmed the search was carried out under a court-issued warrant.

He further stated that emergency motions must concern a sudden matter affecting the public or national interest and intended to draw attention to government action or inaction.

The Speaker said the motion did not meet the requirements under Articles 197(b), (k) and (d) of the Standing Orders.

Meanwhile, the passports of Adhadhu chief executive Hussain Fiyaz Moosa and managing editor Hassan Mohamed have been withheld in connection with the documentary titled Aisha.