Journalists Protest After Police Raid on Adhadhu Newsroom
Journalists protesting following a police raid on Adhadhu news and issuance of travel bans on top brass of the media. | Photo: Adhadhu news
Journalists gathered last night in protest following a police raid on the office of local media outlet Adhadhu.
The demonstration brought together reporters and media workers, expressing concern over the raid, with banners reading “press under attack” and “we will still write, you can’t stop us.”
In a statement shared on social media, Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) President Ahmed Naif said the turnout reflected solidarity within the profession. “We may have our editorial differences, but an attack on one newsroom is an attack on all of us. Our strength lies in our unity,” he said.
The protest comes amid growing concern among journalists over press freedom following the police action against Adhadhu.
In response to the protests and criticism directed at the government and Maldives Police Service, Homeland Minister Ali Ihusaan said police were justified in investigating the outlet over what he described as “false adultery allegations,” referring to Adhadhu’s documentary in which a woman—speaking under a pseudonym and with her identity concealed—alleged a sexual relationship with President Mohamed Muizzu at the President’s Office.
Maldives Police are right to investigate & raid the news outlet over false “Zina” allegations against the President. Press freedom is guaranteed, but not a free pass to destroy reputations with lies. Constitution of Maldives:
• Art 27: Freedom of expression (not contrary to…— Minister of Homeland Security, Labour & Technology (@min_mohst) April 28, 2026
The recent restrictions mark the second time authorities have attempted to restrict Adhadhu News’s reporting, following an earlier case this year involving a political cartoon published under its “Political Cartoon” segment.
In January, the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission (MMBC) imposed restrictions on the media and the public after the publication of a cartoon by Adhadhu depicting the President taking money from the pocket of a person praying. The MMBC said the cartoon went against Islamic values and ordered its removal from all social media platforms.
In February, Adhadhu News filed a civil suit against the commission seeking to overturn the order to remove the political cartoon published by the media outlet.
