The cases of Adhadhu journalists Mohamed Shahzan and Leevan Ali Naseer, who were charged with contempt of court and imprisoned, have been submitted to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
The petition filed with the UN alleges that the journalists were unlawfully detained in violation of their fundamental rights, marking a blow to press freedom. The submission highlights that the actions against the journalists stem from a documentary titled "Aisha," produced by Adhadhu, which details allegations of sexual misconduct by President Mohamed Muizzu.
The issue began on March 28, 2026, following the release of the documentary. On April 28, police raided the Adhadhu newsroom, seizing laptops and electronic devices. On May 10, the Criminal Court issued a sweeping "gag order" prohibiting any discussion or reporting related to the documentary.
Journalist Mohamed Shahzan was arrested on May 11 after questioning the President about the allegations during a presidential press conference. Following the inquiry, he was removed from the briefing and sentenced to 15 days in prison and fined MVR 25,000 for allegedly violating the court order. Journalist Leevan Ali Naseer was sentenced to 10 days for contempt of court regarding a news article under his name concerning the judicial order.
The UN filing asserts that the journalists were denied adequate time to appoint legal counsel, noting that the court provided only a two-hour window to secure representation. The petition argues that this constitutes a denial of the right to a fair trial. Furthermore, the actions are described as a violation of Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which protects the right to freedom of expression.
The complaint accuses various state institutions—including the President’s Office, the Maldives Police Service, and the Criminal Court—of intimidating and exerting undue influence over journalists. While the cases have been appealed to the High Court of the Maldives, the submission expresses a lack of confidence in obtaining justice due to the perceived level of political interference within the judiciary.
Characterizing both journalists as human rights defenders committed to holding the state accountable, the petition calls for international assistance to secure their immediate release.
