Hearing in gag order appeal cancelled last minute

The hearing scheduled in the appeal seeking to overturn a “gag order” issued by the Criminal Court concerning content published by Adhadhu media outlet for Monday morning has been cancelled last minute.

The preliminary hearing in the appeal filed by Adhadhu’s CEO Hussain Fiyaz Moosa was scheduled for 9:15am this morning. High Court informed the cancellation of the hearing after 9:00am, as Fiyaz and his lawyers were at the Court to attend the hearing. The Court did not specify the reason for the cancellation of the hearing.

Notably, hearings in the appeal will be held behind closed doors.

The contested order prohibits the dissemination of specific content and bans any direct or indirect discussion of the narratives contained within it. It further restricts the disclosure of information relating to the parties involved or the victim in the case.

The order was issued by Criminal Court Judge Muzammil Nasir in connection with Qazf charges against Adhadhu’s CEO Fiyaz and Editor Hassan Mohamed. The trial of the two journalists is currently being held behind closed doors at the Criminal Court.

Maldives Journalist Association (MJA) has criticized the gag order as an infringement of freedom of expression of both journalist and the general public.

Previously, two other journalists from Adhadhu – Leevan Ali Naseer and Mohamed Shahuzan – were imprisoned for allegedly violating the gag order.