The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has said that the imprisonment of Adhadhu journalists Shahzan Mohamed and Leevan Ali Nasir is an attempt to criminalize and punish investigative journalism.
The Criminal Court sentenced Shahzan to 15 days in prison yesterday over a question posed to President Mohamed Muizzu, without providing him an opportunity to present a defense. Leevan was sentenced to 10 days in prison because a news report regarding a court order was published under his byline.
“The jailing of Mohamed Shahzan and Leevan Ali Nasir is a punitive attempt to criminalize investigative journalism and shield the presidency from scrutiny,” said CPJ Asia-Pacific Program Coordinator Kunal Majumder. “The authorities must free both journalists, return seized equipment from the Adhadhu news room, and allow the press to operate without fear in Maldives.”
The international press freedom watchdog also urged authorities to cease the judicial harassment and intimidation of Adhadhu journalists.
Both journalists were sentenced without being granted an opportunity to defend themselves. They were given only two hours to appoint legal counsel before the proceedings.
Local and international observers are describing this as a dark day for press freedom in the Maldives since the right was enshrined in the country's Constitution.
