Spreading ‘false allegations’ against President justifies raid, say ministers

Multiple cabinet ministers took to social media to defend President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on Tuesday, stating that state agencies have a duty to investigate and take action against the spread of “false allegations to discredit” him.

The remarks come after the police stormed the office of ‘Adhadhu’ over a documentary it released in March. According to ‘Adhadhu’, the police seized multiple electronic devices, and also produced travel ban orders against the news outlet’s CEO Hussain Fiyaz Moosa and managing editor Hassan Mohamed.

The incident sparked condemnation the Maldives Journalists Association (MJA), which accused the government of crossing a clear red line, and demanded an immediate end to the intimidation of journalists and the suppression of press freedom.

But several cabinet ministers took to social media platforms on Tuesday to defend the police action.

Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage, Heena Waleed wrote on Facebook that while she believes in press freedom, there are limits to both press freedom and freedom of speech.

“Journalism is a noble profession. But a person’s dignity and reputation are held in higher regard,” wrote Heena, a former news anchor and TV presenter.

Heena said that repeatedly harassing President Muizzu and his family with false allegations does not constitute to freedom of press. She said that false allegations of adultery against the President warrants an investigation and establishment of justice.

Minister of Homeland Security, Labor and Technology, Ali Ihusan wrote on X that the police are right to investigate and raid Adhadhu over false adultery allegations against the President.

“Press freedom is guaranteed, but not a free pass to destroy reputations with lies,” he wrote. “Spreading fabricated serious accusations is not journalism. Police are upholding the rule of law and the President’s constitutional rights. Responsible freedom comes with accountability. No one is above the law.”

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

Meanwhile, Minister of Islamic Affairs and Endowments, Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed insisted that the incumbent administration, specifically President Muizzu himself, holds journalists in high regard, and is very open with the press.

“Criticism is not an issue, but personal attacks are wrong,” he wrote on X, warning against defaming and harassing people, making false adultery allegations, labelling people, and spreading false allegations.

“I ask that we maintain constitutional right to freedom of expression within the bounds of the religion of Islam and laws.”

ޚިޔާލު ފާޅުކުރުމުގެ ފުރިހަމަ މިނިވަންކަން ޤާނޫނު އަސާސީގެ ދަށުން ރާއްޖޭގައި ކަށަވަރު ކޮށްދީފައިވޭ. އަޅުގަނޑު ޤަބޫލު ކުރާ ގޮތުގައި ރާއްޖޭގައި ނޫސްވެރިންނަށް ފުރިހަމަ މިނިވަންކަން ލިބިގެންވޭ. ލިބިފައި އޮންނަންވެސް ޖެހޭ. ދުނިޔޭގައި ފުޅާ ދާއިރާއެއްގައި ނޫސްވެރިކަމުގެ މިނިވަންކަން…

— Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed (@Mohamedshaheem1) April 28, 2026

 The Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission (MMBC) remains silent over the incident. The commission’s president Mohamed Farushath has been unresponsive to repeated phone calls and messages seeking a comment.