Adhadhu chief editor Hussain Fiyaz Moosa barred from leaving the country

The Criminal Court has ordered the CEO of Adhadhu, Hussain Fiyaz Moosa, to be placed under a travel ban and his passport to be seized.

On the 28th of last month, Adhadhu published a documentary based on an interview given by an anonymous individual.

The outlet reported that police entered its office with a court order on Monday evening. According to the order, police intervened in connection with the documentary, the journalists said.

Police said the office was being searched under a court order in connection with a case under investigation. No further details were provided.

In addition to the search of the newsroom, the Criminal Court also issued an order to seize Fiyaz’s passport.

The court order, issued at 22:11 pm, stated that the passport was seized because police believed it was important for Fiyaz to remain in the Maldives for the investigation of a criminal case.

The order states that Fiyaz’s passport will be withheld from Monday until the 26th of next month. His case is being investigated by the Serious and Organized Crime Investigation Department.

A case of threats against Fiyaz, who has worked in the media for many years, was reported to police in March last year.

The Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) has expressed concern over the police search of the newsroom. Some journalists also staged a protest outside the office.