Maldives Court Jails Two Adhadhu Journalists

Two journalists affiliated with the Maldives-based news outlet Adhadhu have been sentenced to prison after a Criminal Court ruling found them guilty of violating a court order.

Leevan Ali Nasir has been sentenced to 10 days in prison, while Mohamed Shahuzaan has been sentenced to 15 days.

According to the court’s decision, the two journalists were found to have breached a “non-discussion order” issued by the Criminal Court in relation to a documentary case. The order reportedly prohibited the publication or discussion of material connected to the documentary. This is understood to be the first known instance in the Maldives where journalists have been sentenced for allegedly violating such an order.

In its ruling, the court stated that Leevan was found guilty after information related to the documentary—despite the restriction—was included in a news article. Shahuzaan was found guilty in connection with asking a question deemed to fall within the scope of the court’s order during a press interaction involving President Mohamed Muizzu and the related restrictions.

The court proceedings have also drawn attention due to concerns over due process. Reports indicate that the journalists were given only a short period—around two hours—to secure legal representation before proceedings continued. The Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) has expressed serious concern over the handling of the case.

The broader case is linked to a documentary matter involving Adhadhu, where the outlet’s CEO Hussain Fiyaz Moosa and editor Hassan Mohamed have also faced legal action. The court had previously issued an order restricting any publication or discussion of the documentary content.

The ruling has intensified debate in the Maldives over press freedom, judicial restrictions on reporting, and the use of court orders in cases involving journalism. Media watchdogs and civil society groups are expected to continue monitoring developments closely as reactions grow from across the media and legal community.