Police have refused to disclose the whereabouts of Adhadhu journalist Leevan Ali Nasir, who was seen being dragged away by three police officers during a protest against the government's media control bill.
Leevan went missing during the protest this afternoon, but police did not say he was taken into custody. Adhadhu can now confirm that the young journalist was taken into police custody.
Adhadhu has also obtained a video, which shows three police officers torturing Leevan and dragging him away.
Adhadhu lawyers attempted to find his location, but the police refused to disclose the information, directly violating the laws and the constitution.
Journalists and members of the public have been protesting against the draconian media control bill, and police have continued to use excessive force against the peaceful protesters.
Police officers were seen pushing down protesters and stepping on their bodies. Protesters sustained multiple injuries, while some had their clothes torn off and media equipment damaged.
The bill was proposed by Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan Aboobakuru, who sits in the parliament as an independent MP. But the government has been actively promoting the bill with a disinformation campaign about its provisions.
