Government Spokesperson Mohamed Hussain Shareef (Mundhu) has attempted to distort the facts regarding the imprisonment of Adhadhu journalists Leevan Ali Nasir and Mohamed Shahzan, claiming they were not sentenced for their journalistic work.
During a press conference on Saturday, journalist Mohamed Shabin from Viraasee questioned the fairness of the situation, noting that while many individuals have violated the same gag order since the sentencing of Leevan and Shahzan, only the two journalists have been jailed.
Avoiding a direct answer, the spokesperson asserted that "no journalist is punished for practicing journalism."
Leevan was imprisoned for reporting on a gag order issued by the Criminal Court on May 10. Shahzan was sentenced to 15 days in prison and fined following a question he posed to President Mohamed Muizzu during a press conference at the President's Office on May 11.
Although the court hastily ruled that Leevan’s article and Shahzan’s question violated the order, no legal action or sentencing has been pursued against political leaders, Members of Parliament, or social media activists who continue to speak out in defiance of the same court order.
Despite private citizens bringing such violations to the attention of the Criminal Court, no hearings have been scheduled for those cases.
In his line of questioning, Shabin highlighted that the current order issued by the Criminal Court differs from previous ones as it applies to all citizens.
He repeatedly questioned whether it was just to single out and imprison only the two journalists, Shahzan and Leevan, for contempt of court while others remain untouched. However, the spokesperson signaled with a hand gesture that he did not wish to comment on the judiciary.
"That is a fundamental principle of ours," he claimed.
He further evaded the question by stating that he is the spokesperson for the government, not the judiciary.
