High Court dismisses MJA appeal over Adhadhu Gag order
According to the High Court Registrar’s decision, the MJA did not have the legal standing required to challenge the order.
The High Court of the Maldives has dismissed an appeal filed by the Maldives Journalists Association seeking to overturn a Criminal Court order restricting discussion of a documentary produced by Adhadhu.
The documentary contains allegations against President Mohamed Muizzu made by a former employee of the President’s Office.
The Criminal Court order was issued following a request by the Prosecutor General’s Office after criminal defamation charges were filed against Adhadhu Chief Executive Officer and Chief Editor Hussain Fiyaz Moosa and Managing Editor Hassan Mohamed.
According to the High Court Registrar’s decision, the MJA did not have the legal standing required to challenge the order.
The ruling stated that the Criminal Court order was issued in relation to the criminal case filed by the state against Fiyaz and Hassan and that the MJA was not a party to those proceedings.
Following the issuance of the order, two Adhadhu journalists were found to have violated the restrictions and were subsequently detained.
They are:
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Mohamed Shahuzaan, who was penalised after questioning President Muizzu during a press conference
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Leevan Ali Nasir, who was penalised for reporting on the issuance of the court order
The order restricts both direct and indirect discussion of the allegations contained in the documentary.
In addition to the charges against Fiyaz and Hassan, former President’s Office employee Isha Ashraf was also questioned by police in connection with the case.
Although police have alleged criminal defamation against Isha, no formal charges have yet been filed.
Authorities have also confiscated the passports of Fiyaz, Hassan and Isha.
