Adhadhu files complaint over President's Office press conference ban
Two Adhadhu journalists have previously been imprisoned for allegedly breaching the court order and have since completed their sentences.
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Online news outlet Adhadhu has filed a complaint with the Citizens Complaints Bureau over the President's Office decision to bar its journalists from attending official press conferences.
The restriction was imposed after an Adhadhu reporter questioned President Dr Mohamed Muizzu during a press conference about allegations made by a former employee of the President's Office.
During the press conference on 11 May, Adhadhu journalist and Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) Vice President Mohamed Shahuzan was removed from the event after officials alleged that his question breached a Criminal Court order restricting publication of information related to an ongoing case.
Later that day, the President's Office informed Adhadhu that its journalists would no longer be permitted to attend press conferences organised by the office.
The news outlet subsequently requested a written decision explaining the basis for the restriction.
In a letter submitted to the Citizens Complaints Bureau on Thursday, Adhadhu said the President's Office has not responded to that request.
Addressing the letter to the Bureau's Secretary, Dr Mohamed Mahid Shareef, Adhadhu argued that the failure to provide written reasons for the administrative decision breaches Article 43 of the Constitution.
Article 43 guarantees the right to lawful, procedurally fair and timely administrative action. It also provides that individuals whose rights are affected by an administrative decision are entitled to written reasons and have the right to challenge the decision before a court.
Adhadhu said it intends to raise the matter with international organisations but argued that the absence of a written decision has prevented it from pursuing legal remedies.
The outlet asked the Complaints Bureau to direct the President's Office to respond to its letter of 18 May and to investigate the delay in providing a response.
The Criminal Court order cited by the President's Office was issued at the request of the state in connection with a criminal case against Adhadhu Chief Executive Officer Hussain Fiyaz Moosa and Managing Editor Hassan Mohamed over a documentary published by the outlet on 28 March.
Two Adhadhu journalists have previously been imprisoned for allegedly breaching the court order and have since completed their sentences.
Former President's Office employee Eesha Ashraf has also been questioned by police as part of the investigation. Police have alleged that she committed criminal slander (qadhf), although no charges have been filed against her.
