Police entry into Adhadhu office reported by Al Jazeera, BBC and press‑freedom groups

International media outlets have begun reporting on the case in which police raided the office of the Adhadhu newspaper, which published a documentary making serious allegations against President Dr Mohamed Muizzu.

Last month, Adhadhu released a documentary featuring an interview with an unnamed woman who claimed to have had a close relationship with the President. According to the interview, the woman was a government employee.

Police raided the newspaper’s office on Monday evening following the allegations made in the documentary. The passports of CEO Hussain Fiyaz Moosa and Managing Editor Hassan Mohamed have been seized for three months, and both have been ordered to appear before the police.

Separately, the passport of Easha Ashraf, who previously held political positions, has also been seized in connection with the documentary.

Adhadhu said police searched the office and removed several items.

The Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) expressed concern over the raid and urged journalists not to be intimidated. The opposition MDP has made similar calls, while British High Commissioner Nicholas David Low has also expressed concern.

The case has now been reported by major international outlets, including Al Jazeera and the BBC.  

Al Jazeera reported that the search warrant accused the outlet and its staff of “qazf”, or the false accusation of adultery or unlawful sexual intercourse, an offence that carries a prison term of one year and seven months and may include 80 lashes.  

BBC coverage highlighted the raid, the seizure of passports, and the growing criticism from press‑freedom groups and diplomats.

Al Jazeera reported that it attempted to obtain comment from Senior Government Spokesperson Mohamed Hussain Shareef (Mundhu), who said he would respond later as he was boarding a flight. Speaking to Sun on Monday, Mundhu said the government cannot and will not comment on a criminal investigation conducted by police, but noted that the President had not submitted such a case.

Meanwhile, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called for the return of materials seized from Adhadhu’s office and for the lifting of travel bans on its leaders. CPJ said the orders risk criminalising investigative journalism under the guise of protecting religious and national interests.

Some foreign outlets have also reported that senior government officials defended the police actions. Home Minister Ali Ihusaan has said the office could be searched in connection with false allegations made by the outlet. Other officials have also spoken in support of the police.