Arresting Sun journalist was not an attempt to obstruct press freedom: Police

Maldives Police Service has said that arresting the journalist of Sun this morning while he was taking photographs outside the Justice Building was not an attempt to obstruct press freedom.

The police said in a statement issued tonight that the arrest was by no means an effort to obstruct press freedom, and assured that the police institution would not attempt to obstruct media freedom.

The police said that the Sun journalist was taken to Galolhu Police Station and explained why he had to be taken to the police station, following which he was released without being arrested.

The police further said that the police officers and the Sun journalist had a difference of opinion at the scene of the incident, and that the Police Professional Standards Directorate is currently investigating if the police officers involved in this incident acted according to the relevant laws and regulations.

Sun journalist Ahmed Azif was taken into police custody after he contested police claims that he cannot take photographs without wearing his press identification around his neck. Azif had however produced his press identification in proof that he was in fact a journalist.

It is not prohibited to take photographs outside the justice building area.

After Azif defied the warnings of the police and was taken into custody, he was transported to the Galolhu Police Station where he was asked to sign a statement of release which stated that he had been arrested for obstructing police duties.

Out of the several journalists present outside Justice Building today, only Azif was asked by the police to display his press identification.