Home minister denies influencing 'any investigation' after he is accused of interfering in ‘Aisha’ probe

Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihusan has denied allegations by former Chief Justice Dr. Ahmed Abdulla Didi that he was exerting influence over the police investigation into ‘Aisha’, a documentary published by news outlet Adhadhu.

The documentary, published on March 28, featured an anonymized interview with a woman who made serious allegations against President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

On Monday night, the police stormed the office of ‘Adhadhu’ over the documentary and seized multiple electronic devices. The police also produced travel ban orders against Adhadhu’s CEO and chief editor Hussain Fiyaz Moosa, managing editor Hassan Mohamed, and former President’s Office staffer Aishath Easha Ashraf.

In a post on X on Wednesday night, Abdulla Didi wrote that though the police may be run under Ihusan, he does not have the authority to influence any investigation by the agency, either directly or indirectly.

He said that Ihusan’s social media posts were clear evidence of his interference in the case, and that it is therefore unlikely that the police will be able to conduct a free and fair investigation into the case.

Ihusan took to X on Thursday afternoon to deny these allegations.

“I do not have that power, and therefore I have never used it. I have never influenced an investigation, either directly or indirectly,” he wrote.

“I do not execute the duties of my office like you served as Chief Justice.”

އެބާރު ލިބިގެންނުވާތީ އެބާރު ބޭނުން ނުކުރަނީ. އަދި މިހާތަނަށް ތަހުގީގަކަށް ސީދާކޮށްވެސް އަދި ނުސީދާކޮށްވެސް އެފަދަ ނުފޫޒު ފޯރުވާފައި ނުވާނެ. އަޅުގަނޑު މަޤާމުގެ މަސްއޫލިއްޔަތު އަދާކުރަނީ މަނިކުފާނު އުއްތަމަ ފަނޑިޔާރުކަން ކުރެއްވިގޮތަކަށް ނޫން. https://t.co/EsQzy035zo

— Minister of Homeland Security, Labour & Technology (@min_mohst) April 30, 2026

The recent raid on Adhadhu sparked condemnation from 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 in a post on X on Tuesday, Ihusan said 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

The case has also raised concerns within the international community regarding the state of press freedom in the Maldives.