Umar: Jailing journalists is the beginning of the end of a regime

Former Home Minister Umar Naseer has said that the imprisonment of journalists marks the beginning of the end of a regime.

In a statement on his X handle, Umar said leaders entrusted with the affairs of the people must understand that accusations directed at them will always be louder and more forceful than those made against ordinary citizens. Allegations against leaders, he said, are not weighed in the same way as those against the public.

“It is not in a court of law where leaders prove they are not involved in an unsightly act. A leader’s innocence is proven in the Court of Public Opinion, in the minds of the general public. They must weigh it. It is not enough to say ‘it’s a lie’ when an allegation is made,” Umar Naseer said.

ނޫސްވެރިން ޖަލަށްލައިގެން އަނގަ ބަންދުކުރަންޖެހޭ ހިސާބަށް ކަންކަން އައުމީ، އެވެރިކަމެއްގެ ނިމުމުގެ ފެށުމެވެ. pic.twitter.com/UUAXQiWtfw

— Umar Naseer (@UmarNaseerMV) May 12, 2026

In context, two journalists were jailed Tuesday for allegedly violating an order issued by the Criminal Court in connection with the ongoing charges against the heads of Adhadhu.

The court sentenced Shahuzan to 15 days for questioning the President in relation to the Aisha documentary produced by Adhadhu during a press conference at the President’s Office on Monday, and sentenced Leevan to 10 days for reporting on it on Tuesday.