Adhadhu Editor Hassan Mohamed and Chief Operating Officer (CEO) Hussain Fiyaz Moosa have pleaded not guilty to the Qazf (an Islamic criminal offence of falsely accusing someone of adultery or fornication) charges.
The trial is being conducted behind closed doors at the Criminal Court. During today’s hearing, the state presented the formal charges, which both Hassan and Fiyaz denied.
The Qazf charges are connected to the "Aisha" documentary released on March 28. It featured a former President's Office employee making sexual misconduct and corruption allegations against President Mohamed Muizzu.
Police raided Adhadhu's office on April 28, a month after the documentary's release, when a journalist questioned Muizzu about the allegations. Fourteen days later, Hassan and Fiyaz were slapped with criminal charges that could see them jailed and lashed.
They have also been barred from travelling overseas, with their passports held until July 27. The President's Office employee featured in the documentary has also been barred from travelling, but has not been charged.
Furthermore, Adhadhu journalist Mohamed Shahzan was sentenced to 15 days in prison after questioning Muizzu during a press conference. Another Adhadhu journalist, Leevan Ali Nasir, was sentenced to 10 days in prison for reporting on a court order that prohibited public discussion of the allegations against Muizzu.
