Authorities in the Maldives have sentenced two journalists to jail terms for reporting on allegations regarding President Mohamed Muizzu’s personal life. On Tuesday, a criminal court in Male sentenced Mohamed Shahzan and Leevan Ali Nasir, both staff members of the news website Adhadhu, to 15 and 10 days in prison, respectively. The sentences were handed down for allegedly violating a gag order that prohibits public discussion of a documentary detailing an alleged affair between the President and a former aide.
The case revolves around a documentary titled "Aisha," released by Adhadhu in late March. The film featured an interview with a woman alleging a sexual relationship with the 47-year-old President. While Muizzu has dismissed the claims as "baseless lies," the state response has been swift. In April, police raided Adhadhu’s offices, seizing laptops and storage devices belonging to journalists and administrative staff. Rights groups have described these actions as a punitive campaign aimed at stifling investigative reporting.
According to Adhadhu, Shahzan was targeted after he directly questioned President Muizzu about the allegations during a press engagement. Nasir’s sentencing, however, stems from his reporting on the gag order itself, which was issued by the court at the request of prosecutors. The news outlet criticized the judicial process, stating that the trials were conducted in secret and concluded within hours. The journalists were reportedly given only two hours to secure legal representation and were denied the opportunity to present a comprehensive defense.
International media watchdogs, including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), have strongly condemned the jailings. They argue that these sentences represent a dangerous precedent in the Maldives’ democratic history. Conversely, presidential spokesperson Mohamed Hussain Shareef defended the proceedings, asserting that the cases are strictly legal matters and not an assault on the free press. He emphasized that the administration remains committed to a vibrant media landscape, though critics point to recent legislative changes that increase government control over news outlets.
The legal battle is expanding to include senior editorial staff. Two editors at Adhadhu, Hussain Fiyaz Moosa and Hassan Mohamed, are currently facing charges of "qazf"—the false accusation of adultery under Islamic law. If convicted, they could face nearly two years in prison and physical punishment in the form of 80 lashes. These developments come amid broader concerns regarding the independence of the judiciary and the erosion of democratic checks and balances in the island nation, particularly following a midterm referendum where voters rejected the President`s proposed electoral changes.
