Court summons two Adhadhu journalists over breach of court order
Mohamed Shahuzan and Leevan Ali Naseer have been ordered to appear before the court on Tuesday.
The Criminal Court on Monday summoned two journalists from Adhadhu in connection with an alleged violation of a court order restricting discussion of the documentary “Aisha”.
Mohamed Shahuzan and Leevan Ali Naseer have been ordered to appear before the court on Tuesday.
The case follows criminal defamation charges filed on Sunday by the Prosecutor General's Office against Hussain Fiyaz Moosa and Hassan Mohamed over the documentary, which contained allegations concerning President Mohamed Muizzu.
Following a request by the Prosecutor General’s Office, the Criminal Court issued an injunction prohibiting circulation of the documentary and restricting public discussion related to the case.
The order states that:
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the documentary “Aisha” may not be circulated until a final ruling is issued;
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discussion of content contained in the documentary is prohibited directly or indirectly;
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discussion relating to parties involved in the case or the alleged victim is prohibited; and
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documents and information relating to the proceedings may not be disclosed publicly as the case is being heard behind closed doors.
According to the court summons, Shahuzan is accused of violating the order through remarks and questions raised during a press conference on Monday.
During the press conference, Shahuzan referred to alleged call records involving President Muizzu and a former employee of the President's Office. He was later removed from the venue after being accused of breaching the court order.
Shahuzan, who also serves as Vice President of the Maldives Journalists Association, has been instructed to appear before court at 1:00pm on Tuesday.
Leevan Ali Naseer has been ordered to appear at 11:00am. According to the summons, the court is seeking to determine whether a news report authored by him violated the injunction.
The matter will be heard under the Regulation on Maintaining the Decorum of the Court by a panel consisting of Judge Ibrahim Ihsan, Judge Ali Nadeem and Judge Safwath Habeeb.
In connection with the same case, Eesha Ashraf, a former employee of the President’s Office, was also questioned by the Maldives Police Service.
Although police linked her to allegations of criminal defamation, no charges have been filed against her.
Authorities have withheld the passports of Fiyaz, Hassan and Eesha as part of the investigation.
The investigation intensified after an Adhadhu journalist questioned President Muizzu during a press conference. Later that night, police searched the Adhadhu office and seized equipment and other property.
The government has stated that the investigation was initiated on the direct instruction of the Prosecutor General’s Office.
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