Court to Begin Hearings in Adhadhu Challenge Over Equipment Confiscation
Adhadhu reports that the police spent 4 hours at their office, after which different hardware and equipment were confiscated. | Photo: Adhadhu news
The Criminal Court has scheduled hearings to begin in a case filed by Adhadhu, seeking the return of equipment seized during a police raid on the outlet’s office last month.
According to Adhadhu, the hearing has been set for next Tuesday, following a petition submitted to recover electronic devices confiscated by police during the raid.
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Police searched the Adhadhu newsroom on 27 April as part of a criminal investigation linked to a documentary released by the outlet last month, which was published on their social media platforms.
Adhadhu had previously reported that the operation lasted approximately four hours, during which police seized 20 electronic devices, including laptops and hard drives.
The court hearing follows Adhadhu’s legal challenge against the seizure of the equipment.
The newsroom raid came amid wider legal proceedings connected to the documentary. Two Adhadhu journalists, Mohamed Shahuzaan and Leevan Ali Nasir, were recently jailed after being accused of violating a court order prohibiting discussion of the documentary. Shahuzaan was remanded for 15 days whilst Leevan for 10 days.
In addition, Adhadhu Chief Executive Officer Hussain Fiyaz Moosa and Editor Hassan Mohamed are facing ongoing legal proceedings related to the case.
Separately, Fiyaz appealed to the High Court last month against the Criminal Court’s gag order restricting discussion of the documentary. The appeal follows a decision by the High Court to reject a similar challenge filed by the Maldives Journalists Association (MJA), which argued that the order violated constitutional protections for press freedom, freedom of expression and the public’s right to information.
The High Court had ruled that the MJA did not have legal standing to appeal the order because it was not a party to the original case. MJA President Ahmed Naif has since said the association has asked the High Court judges’ bench to overturn the registrar’s decision to dismiss the appeal.
