MMBC stays mum after Leevan and Shahzan are jailed over alleged court‑order breach

Two journalists of the online newspaper Adhadhu, Leevan Ali Naseer and Mohamed Shahzan, have been jailed, but the media regulatory body, the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission, has remained silent on the matter.

The two journalists were sentenced to jail for allegedly violating a court order in connection with the charges filed against the heads of the newspaper.

The court sentenced Shahzan to 15 days in jail and Leevan to 10 days. The hearings at the Criminal Court on Tuesday were held behind closed doors.

Adhadhu CEO Hussain Fiyaz Moosa told Sun that the two journalists were arrested without being given an opportunity to defend themselves against the allegations.

Leevan was produced before the court for writing a news item related to the court order, while Shahzan was produced for questioning President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu at a press conference held at the President’s Office.

Despite the jailing of two journalists and concerns raised within the media community, the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission, formed through the merger of the former Maldives Media Council and the Broadcasting Commission, has issued no statement or response regarding the case, and all attempts by Sun to get word from them has been unsuccessful as yet.