Maldives Police Raid News Outlet Over Allegations of Presidential Affair Report

Police Raid News Outlet in Maldives Over Alleged Presidential Affair

Malé, Maldives - Police in the Maldives have raided the offices of Adhadhu Online, a critical news outlet, and barred its editors from leaving the country following the publication of a documentary alleging an affair between President Mohamed Muizzu and a former aide. The government has defended the operation as a lawful response to what Muizzu described as “baseless lies”.

On Monday night, police seized laptops and storage devices from Adhadhu Online’s offices, hours after Muizzu called on authorities to press charges against those who spread false information. The documentary, titled Aisha, featured an anonymised interview with a woman claiming she had a sexual relationship with the President.

The raid took place days before a constitutional referendum that delivered a stinging rebuke to Muizzu, with 69 percent of voters rejecting a government proposal on April 4. Critics had said the plan would undermine checks and balances in the country.

A search warrant issued against Adhadhu Online accused the outlet and its staff of “qazf” or false accusation of adultery or unlawful sexual intercourse. The offence carries a prison term of one year and seven months, and can also include 80 lashes.

Adhadhu CEO Hussain Fiyaz Moosa condemned the police’s actions as an attack on press freedom. He stated that the police had seized laptops and storage devices without a court warrant, despite authorising only search and inspection of the premises.

Fiyaz said that he and Editor Hassan Mohamed have been summoned to appear before police on Wednesday. The government has imposed travel bans on Fiyaz and Mohamed, freezing their passports until July 26.

Source: Al Jazeera