Press freedom in the Maldives faces a new wave of state persecution

Human Rights Watch denounced that the Maldivian government jailed journalists, raided independent media outlets and deepened censorship measures amid a growing deterioration of freedom of expression.

In mid-May, two journalists were arrested and jailed on criminal charges in the Maldives. Human Rights Watch (HRW) denounced that this is the first time since the adoption of the democratic Constitution of 2008 that media workers have been sent to prison on criminal charges in the country.

The international organization demanded the immediate release of Leevan Ali Naseer, 29, and Mohamed Shahzan, 31. It also demanded that the charges be dropped against members of the media targeted by a growing policy of state harassment.

In this regard, Elaine Pearson, Asia director at HRW, stated that “the unjust imprisonment of two journalists and the raids on independent media send an alarming message about the deterioration of press freedom in the Maldives.” She also called on the government to reverse “the dangerous backsliding” on democratic rights.

According to the international organization, the repressive escalation began on April 27, when the Department of Serious and Organized Crime raided the offices of the digital outlet Adhadhu in Malé, the country’s capital, and seized computers and hard drives belonging to journalists.

A few weeks earlier, the outlet had published the documentary Aisha, which exposed alleged cases of abuse of power and sexual misconduct by President Mohamed Muizzu against a former employee. The president, however, publicly denied the allegations.

After that, the Maldivian authorities imposed travel bans on Adhadhu’s chief executive, Hussain Fiyaz Moosa, and its editor-in-chief, Hassan Mohamed. On May 10, the Prosecutor’s Office filed charges against both under Article 612(a) of the Penal Code, related to the Islamic offense of “qazf,” that is, false accusations of adultery. The law provides for penalties of up to 19 months in prison and 80 lashes.

That same day, the Criminal Court issued a gag order prohibiting any public discussion of the documentary. Two days later, Naseer and Shahzan were sentenced to 10 and 15 days in jail, respectively, for reporting on that court ruling and were fined close to 26,000 Maldivian rufiyaa, equivalent to about US$1,700.

Local media reported that both journalists were being held in unsanitary conditions in Maafushi prison. On May 15, prison officials moved Naseer to a separate cell, isolated him and denied him medical care to treat a skin condition that worsened during his detention.

Protests and the release of Leevan Ali Nasir

The arrests sparked protests in Malé led by journalists and opposition groups. According to complaints by local organizations, police cracked down on the demonstrations and arrested ten people during a protest organized by the People’s National Front and the Maldivian Democratic Party. At least three remain in detention.

In protest against the repressive escalation, thirteen media outlets staged a twelve-hour news blackout on May 19, suspending their regular publications.

On May 22, Leevan Ali Nasir was released and described the precarious conditions he had endured in prison: “I requested medical attention, but it took them six days to see me. Because of this delay, my skin got much worse. For eight days, I couldn’t buy personal hygiene items because the prison shop wasn’t working. I felt terrible because I couldn’t keep myself clean,” he said.

Nasir said he will return to work and will join the protests calling for the release of Shahzan, whose sentence ends on May 27.

Meanwhile, the executive director of the Maldives Journalists Association, Mohamed Junayd, said that the speed with which the executive branch, the Prosecutor’s Office and the judiciary acted to jail journalists “is shocking,” referring to the judicial system.

Since Muizzu took office in 2023, his administration has tightened control over the media through various restrictive measures, which granted the government broad powers to oversee and sanction media outlets. There is also concern about the possibility that the death penalty may be reinstated.

Moreover, this is taking place in a context in which Islamist extremist groups have historically attacked activists and journalists accused of publishing content deemed offensive to Islam. Human rights organizations maintain that some of these groups have ties to influential political sectors and operate with high levels of impunity.

For Human Rights Watch, the case reflects the fragility of the democratic progress achieved in the country in recent years. Elaine Pearson called on President Muizzu to publicly guarantee the protection of freedom of expression and to stop the attacks against media workers and independent outlets.

Guillermo Whpei

President of Fundación para la Democracia