Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has strongly criticized the government following a police raid and search of the office of the online news outlet Adhadhu. Solih expressed his concerns regarding the matter in a post on his official X account.
Solih stated that the police institution must remain free from political influence and operate independently; however, he noted that current events suggest this is no longer the case.
Police entered the Adhadhu office under a court warrant. According to the police, the search is part of an ongoing investigation to gather evidence related to a documentary titled 'Aisha' released by the news outlet.
Journalists and opposition political figures have also voiced their concerns over the incident. Many allege that this is an act of intimidation targeting media outlets critical of government policies.
As international organizations highlight a recent decline in press freedom in the Maldives, many view this incident as a setback for the country's democracy. Adhadhu is a news outlet known for publishing numerous reports criticising government decisions and allegations of corruption.
