The Maldives Journalists Association announced on Saturday that it had filed an urgent appeal with multiple United Nations Special Procedures mandates concerning the detention and prosecution of journalists from Adhadhu.

The case involves charges brought by the Prosecutor General’s Office against senior Adhadhu staff members following allegations of defamation related to a documentary produced by the outlet that involved President Mohamed Muizzu.

At the prosecutors’ request, the Criminal Court also issued an order banning any discussion—direct or indirect—regarding the subject matter connected to the documentary.

Adhadhu journalist Mohamed Shahuzan, who is also the Vice President of the Maldives Journalists Association, was sentenced to 15 days in prison after a question he posed to President Muizzu during a press conference was deemed to have violated the court order.

Another Adhadhu journalist, Leevan Ali Nasir, was sentenced to 10 days in prison for reporting on the court order’s issuance.

According to the MJA, the case has been referred to several UN mandate holders, including:

- The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention  

- The Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression  

- The Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers  

- The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders  

- The Special Rapporteur on the right to privacy  

- The Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association  

The association stated that the submission included allegations of arbitrary detention, secret court proceedings, broad restrictions on speech, seizure of newsroom equipment, travel bans, and limitations on access to legal representation.

The MJA also claimed that the measures taken against Adhadhu journalists amounted to retaliation against independent media.

The submission argued that the detention of the two journalists is directly related to their journalistic activities and continues to hinder media operations and public access to information.

Furthermore, the MJA warned that the legal actions pose risks to independent journalism, public-interest reporting, and the protection of sources.

The association urged UN mandate holders to call on the government to release the detained journalists and to cease legal actions targeting journalists performing their professional duties.

They also requested a review or annulment of contempt rulings, reconsideration of the court order restricting discussion of the case, the return of seized newsroom equipment, and guarantees of access to legal counsel and open court proceedings.