Ex‑Chief Justice challenges High Court decision blocking MJA’s appeal of gag order

Former Chief Justice Dr Ahmed Abdulla Didi has criticised the High Court’s decision to reject the Maldives Journalists Association’s (MJA) appeal against the Criminal Court’s gag order, saying the ruling contradicts fundamental constitutional principles governing the right to appeal.

The High Court on Sunday refused to register the case, with Registrar Maryam Hoorshidha determining that MJA did not have standing to appeal the order.

In a post on social media, Didi said the right to appeal is one of the most basic guarantees of a fair trial. He noted that Article 56 of the Constitution explicitly grants everyone affected by a judgment or order the right to appeal.

He said journalists are directly affected by the Criminal Court’s order, and therefore the professional body representing them cannot be excluded from the appeal process.

Didi wrote that it is “clear and undisputed” that MJA, established to protect the rights and interests of journalists, is entitled to appeal an order that directly impacts journalists and press freedom.

ޢަދުލުވެރިކަމާއި އިންޞާފުވެރިކަމާއެކު ޝަރީޢަތް ހިންގުން ކަަވަރުކޮށްދޭ އެންމެ އަސާސީ އެއް މަބްދައަކީ އިސްތިއުނާފުކުރުމުގެ ޙައްޤުކަން އެނގެން އޮންނައިރު، ކޯޓުތަކުން އިއްވާ ޙުކުމްތަކާއި ނެރޭ އަމުރުތައް އިސްތިއުނާފުކުރުމުގެ ޙައްޤަކީ މައްސަލައާ ގުޅުންހުރި ކޮންމެ ފަރާތަކަށްވެސް… https://t.co/CaWILv9eq6

— Dr. Ahmed Abdulla Didi (@AABDULLADIDI) May 17, 2026

The High Court’s refusal comes after MJA filed an appeal last week challenging the Criminal Court’s directive, which restricts reporting on an ongoing case. Two journalists were jailed for allegedly violating the order.

Following the dismissal, Adhadhu CEO Hussain Fiyaz Moosa filed a fresh appeal at the High Court on Sunday.

The gag order has drawn widespread criticism, with many expressing concern that it infringes on freedom of expression and press freedom. MJA has argued that the order affects the entire public and violates fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution.