Adhadhu Reports Muizzu to the Police Over Alleged Threats Against Its Editor
Photo: President’s Office
Adhadhu, an online news organisation, has filed a case with the Maldives Police Service against President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, who allegedly threatened the online news and its editor this Friday.
In a press release, Adhahdhu said yesterday that President Muizzu threatened to take the harshest possible action against their journalist and editor, Hussain Fiyaz. They said the President called Fiyaz at 7:04 Friday evening, angry over statements made against his family members at a Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) rally.
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“I am saying for the third time, [I] will take the harshest possible action against [you],” Dr Muizzu allegedly said against Fiyaz, before hanging up the phone.
However, Adhadhu claims they never reported on these statements, which were first published after high-ranking government officials condemned these actions.
Additionally, Adhadhu condemned President Muizzu’s actions, claiming they were disrespectful to the president’s role. The paper said the president must protect the citizens, their independence, and their fundamental rights.
“However, the President calling an ordinary citizen and threatening to take harsh measures paints the President as someone who does not respect the highest ranking position [of the country,” Adhadhu wrote in Dhivehi in their press release.
The Maldives Journalist Association (MJA) said this file has been reported to them, in addition to the police. MJA condemned President Muizzu’s actions harshly and urged the police to investigate this case swiftly.
MJA also encourage people to file cases with the relevant authorities should they be unhappy with the journalist’s coverage of them.
“Threatening to take action against journalists for the work they do in any other ways is something this organisation condemns,” MJA said.
