Lucas released after 10 days in jail

Political activist Shamoon Jaleel, better known as Lucas Jaleel, was released from police custody on Sunday, after 10 days in detention following his arrest from a protest in Male’ City.

Lucas was among 10 people arrested on May 13, from a protest condemning the imprisonment of two journalists from ‘Adhadhu’. He was remanded in jail for 10 days the next day.

Lucas’ legal counsel, former North Maafannu MP Imthiyaz Fahmy (Inthi), confirms he was released from detention on Sunday.

Breaking News: @lucasjalyl jalun dhookohlaifi. Recieve kurumah Atholhuvehi kairiyah nahtaalaa

— ???????????????????????????????? ???????????????????? (@Imthiyazfahmy) May 24, 2026

Several clashes broke out between police and protestors during the May 13 rally, which was led by former President Mohamed Nasheed.

10 protestors – eight men and two women – were detained by the police. Seven of them were released from custody, while three were held in detention on allegations of obstruction of police and failure to follow their instructions.

Lucas, a close aide to Nasheed, was the last to be released from detention.

The rally was held after two journalists from Adhadhu, Mohamed Shahzan and Leeval Ali Naseer, were imprisoned on May 12 on charges of contempt of court for violating a contentious blanket gag order issued by the Criminal Court.

Shahzan was sentenced to 15 days in prison, while Leevan was sentenced to 10 days.

Leevan finished serving his sentence on Friday, while Shahzan remains in prison.

The gag order was issued in a criminal case against Adhadhu CEO Hussain Fiyaz Moosa and editor Hassan Mohamed on charges of making false accusations of adultery in a documentary the news outlet published on March 28.

The blanket gag order issued on May 10 explicitly prohibits any party from circulating the documentary, from directly or indirectly discussing the contents of the video, or making any comments linking any of the defendants or the victim with the documentary.