Case of Jailed Adhadhu Journalists Submitted to UN Human Rights Office

The case involving the imprisonment of journalists Mohamed Shahuzan and Leevan Ali Naseer has been submitted to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The complaint was filed regarding the jailing of Adhadhu Online journalists Mohamed Shahuzan and Leevan Ali Naseer on charges of contempt of court.

According to the submission, the journalists were unlawfully detained in a manner that undermines journalists’ rights and obstructs press freedom. The complaint alleges that the actions taken against them violate legal standards and threaten freedom of expression and media independence.

The case submitted to the UN Human Rights Council highlights that the measures against the journalists stem from a documentary produced by Adhadhu Online. The matter began after the documentary was released publicly on March 28, 2026.

Police later raided the Adhadhu newsroom on April 28, seizing journalists’ laptops and storage devices. On May 10, the Criminal Court also issued a “gag order” prohibiting any discussion related to the documentary.

Journalist Mohamed Shahuzan was arrested after questioning the President during a press conference held on May 11 regarding allegations raised in the documentary. He was sentenced to 15 days in jail and fined MVR 25,000 over the question he asked.

Journalist Leevan Ali Naseer was sentenced to 10 days in jail over a report he wrote concerning the court order.

The submission to the UN further states that the journalists were given only two hours to appoint legal counsel, arguing that this amounted to a denial of their right to a fair trial. It also claims that the actions taken against them violate Article 19 of international human rights conventions, which protects freedom of expression.

Although the case has now been appealed to the High Court, the submission argues that political influence over the judiciary has undermined confidence in obtaining justice domestically. Therefore, it calls on the international community to support efforts to secure the immediate release of the two journalists, who were attempting to hold the state accountable through their reporting.