President Mohamed Muizzu’s weekly press conference, typically held every Monday at the President's Office, was canceled at the last minute this morning. The briefing had been scheduled for 10:00 am.
The President's Office had sent invitations yesterday to media outlets interested in attending today’s session. However, Adhadhu did not receive an invitation, as our journalists remain barred from government press conferences.
The President's Office has not disclosed the reason for today's cancellation. Muizzu had previously pledged that these weekly briefings would proceed uninterrupted unless "travel requirements, public holidays, or other unavoidable circumstances necessitate a schedule change."
The cancellation follows a series of controversial events. On the eve of last Monday’s scheduled press conference, the Criminal Court issued a sweeping gag order against the public regarding Adhadhu's "Aisha" documentary. It features a former employee of the President's Office making serious allegations of sexual misconduct against Muizzu—claims the President has since denied.
During that press conference, Adhadhu journalist Mohamed Shahzan questioned Muizzu on whether he had contacted a President's Office employee via the Signal messaging app at irregular hours. While posing the question, Shahzan was accused of violating the Criminal Court's gag order. His microphone was cut off, and he was forcibly removed from the briefing by a group of staff and security personnel.
Contempt of court proceedings were initiated against Shahzan that same day. Similarly, Adhadhu journalist Leevan Ali Naseer faced contempt charges for a news article under his byline regarding the issuance of the Criminal Court’s gag order.
Following the incident, the President's Office notified Adhadhu that the outlet and its journalists are banned from all future press conferences organized by the office. Additionally, MNDF security personnel confiscated and searched the phone of Raajje TV journalist Shaihan Zareer after the briefing, alleging he had filmed during the proceedings.
The following day, the Criminal Court conducted expedited trials for Leevan and Shahzan, resulting in prison sentences for both. Despite repeated requests for adequate time to appoint legal counsel, the presiding judges granted the journalists only two hours to prepare.
Leevan was sentenced to 10 days in prison for his reporting, while Shahzan received a 15-day sentence for questioning the President. Both are currently serving their sentences at Maafushi Prison.
In response to the government’s escalating crackdown on press freedom and freedom of expression, former Presidents Mohamed Nasheed, Abdulla Yameen, and Ibrahim Mohamed Solih have resolved to work together. A meeting between representatives of the three former leaders is scheduled for later today.
