The High Court has scheduled the appeal hearing for Adhadhu journalist Leevan Ali Nasir, who was sentenced to prison over a news report regarding a Criminal Court order to halt discussions on the documentary "Aisha."
Leevan was sentenced on May 11 following a rushed, closed-door hearing where he was denied his legal right to a defense. He was granted only two hours to appoint legal counsel. He was released on May 22 after serving the full sentence.
Following the appeal filed by Leevan, the High Court has scheduled the first hearing for July 21 at 10:00 am.
Another Adhadhu journalist, Mohamed Shahzan, was also sentenced to 15 days in prison for violating the same court order. His case is also currently under appeal.
Upon sentencing, both journalists were first held in the same cell at Maafushi Prison. However, on May 15, Leevan was abruptly placed in solitary confinement and transferred to a unit housing high-profile inmates convicted of major homicides.
