President Mohamed Muizzu today accused Adhadhu journalist Mohamed Shahzan of violating a Criminal Court gag order after he raised questions about allegations of sexual misconduct.
Instead of answering the question, Muizzu asserted that Shahzan had breached a court injunction prohibiting the discussion or dissemination of Adhadhu's "Aisha" documentary, which features a former President's Office employee accusing Muizzu of an extramarital affair and sexual harassment.
"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 declined 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 and any discussion related to it after the state filed Qazf (an Islamic criminal charge on false accusation of adultery or 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.
