The Maldives Journalist Association (MJA) today filed a formal complaint with United Nations regarding the imprisonment of Adhadhu journalists Mohamed Shahzan and Leevan Ali Naseer, as well as the criminal charges brought against the outlet’s CEO, Hussain Fiyaz, and Editor, Hassan Mohamed.
The MJA submitted the case to six United Nations Special Procedures mandates: the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention; the Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression; Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression; independence of judges and lawyers; human rights defenders; right to privacy; rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
In a statement, the association highlighted that the reason for the submission was a sweeping "gag order" imposed on the media. Shahzan and Leevan were sentenced to prison after the court ruled they had violated this order. The MJA noted that the court delivered the verdict after granting only two hours to appoint legal counsel, and proceeded with the sentencing even after the journalists were unable to secure representation within that timeframe.
The MJA alleged that the government is engaging in a campaign of retaliation against Adhadhu and its journalists in response to investigative reporting critical of the administration and President Mohamed Muizzu.
The allegations detailed in the MJA’s submission include:
- Arbitrary arrest and detention
- Conducting secret trials
- Issuing broad gag orders
- Seizure of newsroom equipment
- Imposition of travel bans
- Obstruction of the right to adequate legal counsel
- Retaliatory actions targeting independent media
The submission specifically categorizes the imprisonment of the two journalists for allegedly violating the gag order as a case of arbitrary detention.
The MJA has called for urgent intervention from the UN mandates. The association requested that the UN urge the Maldivian government to release the detained journalists, return seized equipment, and drop all charges against Adhadhu. Furthermore, the MJA called for guarantees of fair trial rights for journalists and the immediate rescinding or significant narrowing of the current gag order.
Prior to the UN submission, the MJA had already appealed the Criminal Court’s order—issued in connection with Adhadhu’s "Aisha" documentary—at the High Court.
