The President's Office Spokesperson Mohamed Hussain Shareef (Mundhu) revealed today that the criminal investigation into Adhadhu regarding its documentary "Aisha" was initiated by the police at the direction of the Prosecutor General's (PG) Office.
Speaking to the press, Mundhu claimed that the PG Office had already taken the initiative to issue a written order to the police to conduct an investigation, before President Mohamed Muizzu requested legal action against those making allegations in the documentary.
"Look, in this specific case, there was no need for a request. Why? Because as I mentioned, the Prosecutor General had already taken the initiative and sent a written instruction to the police to investigate the matter," Mundhu said.
Mundhu further noted that in addition to the PG Office, the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission (Control Commission) is also looking into the matter, and the news outlet has been notified of this.
However, it is noteworthy that the police raid on Adhadhu's office took place less than 12 hours after Muizzu publicly called on relevant authorities to prosecute everyone involved in making the documentary.
During a press conference last Monday, Muizzu denied the allegations leveled against him in the documentary.
Police spent four hours raiding the Adhadhu office, during which they seized important electronic equipment.
Furthermore, Adhadhu CEO Hussain Fiyaz Moosa and Editor Hassan Mohamed have been summoned and questioned by the police in connection with the case.
Police have made five criminal allegations against them:
- Vicarious liability and complicity (Section 30 of the Penal Code)
- Vicarious liability and complicity (Section 30(a)(2) of the Penal Code)
- Defamation (Qazf) (Section 612 of the Penal Code)
- Solicitation to commit an offense (Section 81 of the Penal Code)
- Conspiracy to commit an offense (Section 82 of the Penal Code)
In addition to Fiyaz and Hassan, the passport of a former President's Office employee has also been withheld in connection with the investigation.
