Seven international organizations have called for an immediate end to the criminal investigation against Adhadhu in connection with the "Aisha" documentary released on March 28.
The demand was made in a joint letter addressed to President Mohamed Muizzu, signed by five press freedom advocacy groups and two international human rights organizations.
The letter urged the authorities to return all electronic equipment seized from Adhadhu by the police and to revoke the travel bans imposed on CEO, Hussain Fiyaz Moosa, and Managing Editor, Hassan Mohamed.
Furthermore, the organizations expressed concern over the Maldives Broadcasting and Media Commission's (Control Commission) order late last month to suspend Channel 13’s live broadcasting.
The signatories of the letter include the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Reporters Without Borders (RSF), CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation, the International Press Institute (IPI), and Forum-Asia.
The letter was also signed by prominent human rights organizations Human Rights Watch and the Robert & Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center.
The letter, which was copied to the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) and the Attorney General’s (AG) Office, outlined seven key demands:
- Reaffirm the Maldives' commitment to press freedom and media independence.
- Immediately return all equipment seized from Adhadhu and lift the travel bans on CEO Hussain Fiyaz Moosa and Managing Editor Hassan Mohamed.
- Cease police harassment and coercive actions against Adhadhu journalists in connection with the "Aisha" documentary.
- Utilize independent regulatory mechanisms to seek civil remedies for media-related issues rather than pursuing criminal charges.
- Ensure that all measures taken against journalists, including travel bans and searches, comply with the Constitution of the Maldives, international human rights law, and due process.
- Refrain from misusing regulatory bodies and technical regulations to obstruct the live broadcasting of political activities and opposition gatherings, ensuring all such actions align with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
- Ensure that any investigations into allegations involving high-ranking state officials are conducted independently and transparently.
The police investigation into Adhadhu began a month after the documentary's release, following questions posed to Muizzu by journalist Mohamed Shahzan during a live press conference.
Muizzu personally ordered the investigation into the documentary. Within hours of his directive, police raided the Adhadhu office, seizing laptops and hard drives.
In addition to the raid, the Criminal Court issued orders to withhold the passports of CEO Hussain Fiyaz Moosa and Managing Editor Hassan Mohamed at the request of the police. Both Fiyaz and Hassan were summoned to police headquarters for questioning.
Furthermore, police have withheld the passport of a former President’s Office employee under a court order. While the individual’s statement has been recorded, lawyers say that the police have not provided them an opportunity to present a defense.
