Adhadhu CEO appeals gag order after MJA case rejected

Hussain Fiyaz Moosa, Chief Executive Officer of Adhadhu, has filed an appeal at the High Court challenging a Criminal Court order restricting discussion of a documentary containing allegations against President Mohamed Muizzu.

The Criminal Court order was issued following a request by the Prosecutor General’s Office after criminal defamation charges were filed against Fiyaz and Adhadhu Managing Editor Hassan Mohamed.

The order prohibits direct and indirect discussion of matters related to the documentary.

Earlier, the Maldives Journalists Association attempted to challenge the order at the High Court.

However, the court rejected the filing, ruling that the MJA was not a party to the original case and therefore lacked legal standing to appeal the order.

According to the High Court Registrar’s decision, the Criminal Court order was issued as part of the criminal defamation proceedings involving Fiyaz and Hassan.

Lawyer Hassan Falah, representing both Adhadhu and the MJA, confirmed that the appeal has now been filed directly on behalf of Fiyaz.

He also stated that efforts are being made to request a review of the Registrar’s decision relating to the MJA’s earlier filing.

Since the issuance of the order, two Adhadhu journalists have been detained over allegations that they violated the court directive.

Mohamed Shahuzan, a journalist at Adhadhu and Vice President of the MJA, was found in violation after questioning President Muizzu during a press conference.

Another Adhadhu journalist, Leevan Ali Nasir, was found in violation for reporting on the issuance of the order itself.

In addition to the charges against Fiyaz and Hassan, former President’s Office employee Easha Ashraf was also questioned by police in connection with the case.

Although police accused Easha of criminal defamation, no formal charges have been filed against her.

Authorities have also confiscated the passports of Fiyaz, Hassan and Easha.