The International Press Institute (IPI) has strongly condemned the raid on Adhadhu office and the seizure of equipment used by the outlet.
In a post on its X account, the IPI expressed deep concern over the seizure of essential journalistic tools and the travel ban on two journalists.
The travel ban was issued against Adhadhu’s CEO, Hussain Fiyaz Moosa, and Editor Hassan Mohamed. Furthermore, a criminal investigation has been launched against the journalists, who were summoned for police questioning yesterday.
These actions against Adhadhu follow the publication of a documentary titled "Aisha," released a month ago.
The IPI stated that these measures appear to be an act of retaliation aimed at silencing Adhadhu following its investigative reports criticizing the government and state institutions.
The Maldives Journalist Association (MJA) and several international press freedom advocacy groups have voiced their concerns regarding the matter. In response, the government claimed that the police investigation into Adhadhu was not initiated by the President’s Office.
Despite the government's denial, the police raid and investigation—launched a month after the documentary was released—occurred just hours after President Mohamed Muizzu publicly called for an investigation into Adhadhu during a press conference on Monday morning.
