Lawyers claim Easha was denied a chance to speak in defence during documentary‑linked probe

Aishath Easha Ashraf, who previously held senior positions in the President’s Office and several ministries, was not given an opportunity to speak in her defence in the investigation linked to the documentary broadcast by online newspaper Adhadhu, her lawyers said on Wednesday.

Easha appeared at the Sergeant Adam Haleem Criminal Investigation Building in Male' City on Wednesday, after she was summoned to the Hulhumale' Police Station on Tuesday evening.

According to the summons issued to Easha, she is accused of participating in the production of a documentary allegedly made against President Dr Mohamed Muizzu.

After the police questioning, former Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem, who is representing Easha, told the media that officers asked only three questions when taking her statement. He did not disclose the exact questions, but said Easha denied all three.

“They are alleging qazf. We asked them to clarify: against who? Police did not answer that question,” he said.

“Then when we asked for an opportunity to speak in defence, they didn’t give us a chance. They didn’t give us a chance to speak in defence at all,” Shameem added.

Shameem said the police themselves acknowledged in the written statement that Easha was not given the opportunity to defend herself. At the same time, police informed them that her statement in this investigation was now considered complete.

This is the second time Easha has been summoned. On Tuesday, Shameem accompanied her to the Phase I Hulhumale' Police Station, where she was questioned. Speaking to the media afterwards, Shameem said he believed Easha was the “victim” in the case, and that he would explain the full context after giving a formal statement.

Shameem said he attempted to explain to investigators that Easha was the victim, but was not allowed to do so.

“Yesterday also I said I believe our client is a victim here. Even textbooks explain what it means to be a victim. There are main things the abuser does to the victim: psychological abuse, isolation, creating dependency, whether psychological or financial, intimidation, threats, using positional influence,” he said.

Although police did not allow a defence statement, Shameem said he intends to present the full account during the investigation stage, and will establish with evidence who the “victim” is when the case reaches trial.

“Now police are accusing Easha of being the perpetrator,” he said.

Shameem said he does not believe the government would interfere in the investigation. However, he said he could not determine whose influence prevented certain statements from being made.

“I don’t think, and especially a government, would influence a police department. My heart doesn’t say so. However, I did notice that some kinds of talk were not allowed. Then I don’t know who influenced or not,” he said.

Police are treating the case as a serious investigation. Easha’s passport has been seized for three months under a Criminal Court order, which stated that police had received intelligence suggesting she was attempting to flee the country.

Police have also launched a major investigation into the documentary itself. Under a court order, officers raided the office of Adhadhu and seized a large quantity of electronic equipment and newsroom computer systems for forensic analysis.

This is the first time in recent history that police have raided the office of a Maldivian media outlet.

Police are also taking action against the newspaper’s leadership. The passports of CEO Hussain Fiyaz Moosa and Managing Editor Hassan Mohamed have been withheld until July 27. Both were summoned and questioned, and both exercised their right to remain silent.