Adhadhu journalist Mohamed Shahzan was expelled from a live press conference at the President's Office today after questioning President Mohamed Muizzu regarding allegations of sexual misconduct.
Shahzan was removed from the briefing by Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) officers responsible for the security of the President's Office. The order to expel the journalist was issued directly by Muizzu.
During the session, Shahzan had asked why the President had repeatedly contacted the accuser, a former employee at the President's Office, at various times, including late at night and in the early hours of the morning.
Instead of answering the question, Muizzu claimed that Shahzan had violated a Criminal Court order that prohibits discussions surrounding a documentary produced by Adhadhu, which features the testimony of the accuser.
"The court has issued a gag order. Shahzan, you have now violated that court order. Therefore, I ask that you leave this hall. You are making a blatant lie and a false accusation against me," Muizzu said.
Despite the President's remarks, Shahzan attempted to ask follow-up questions. However, Muizzu refused to provide any further response.
"You are pinning a completely false accusation on me. This is something I will not accept at all. No one will be allowed to violate a court order within this hall. The rule of law will be upheld within the President's Office," Muizzu said.
The Criminal Court banned the documentary titled "Aisha" and any discussion related to it after the state filed Qazf (an Islamic criminal charge on false accusation of adultery of fornication) charges against Adhadhu's CEO, Hussain Fiyaz Moosa, and Editor, Hassan Mohamed. The court has decided to conduct the trial behind closed doors.
The court order was issued as a mandate for all citizens to follow and has been formally communicated to both political parties and media outlets.
