A private individual has submitted a letter to the Criminal Court today seeking a contempt of court ruling against former Presidents Mohamed Nasheed and Abdulla Yameen.
The request alleges that both former leaders violated a court order prohibiting the circulation of the "Aisha" documentary and the discussion of its contents in any public forum.
The gag order, issued by the Criminal Court on May 11, imposed a total ban on the circulation of the documentary and prohibited any party from discussing its contents, either directly or indirectly.
The letter includes evidence of the alleged violations. It notes that Nasheed has repeatedly breached the order during various speeches, while Yameen has also continued to speak publicly about the documentary.
In addition to the former presidents, the letter identifies several other high-profile figures for allegedly defying the court order. These include Galolhu North MP Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudoo), Galolhu South MP Meekail Naseem, President Mohamed Muizzu, Vaikaradhoo MP Hussain Ziyad, and Kanditheemu MP Ameen Faisal.
Issued by Judge Muzammil Nasir, the order was directed at Adhadhu CEO Hussain Fiyaz Moosa, Editor Hassan Mohamed, and the Prosecutor General’s (PG) Office. The gag order was initiated as the court presides over Qazf charges filed against Fiyaz and Hassan under Section 612 of the Penal Code.
The court's decision has drawn criticism, with legal experts questioning the legitimacy of the order. They highlighted that extending such a mandate to the general public, beyond the immediate parties of the case, may infringe upon the fundamental right to freedom of expression guaranteed by the Constitution.
