Adhadhu’s Shahzan, jailed for contempt of court, freed after completing sentence

‘Adhadhu’ journalist Mohamed Shahzan was released on Wednesday after completing a prison sentence imposed by the Criminal Court for contempt of the court.

His colleague, Leevan Ali Nasir, had also been released earlier after serving his prison sentence for contempt of court. The Criminal Court sentenced Shahzan to 15 days in prison, while Leevan was sentenced to 10 days in prison.

The cases against the two journalists stemmed from an alleged violation of a court order linked to criminal proceedings against senior management of Adhadhu on charges of Qazf - an Islamic criminal charge over false accusations of adultery – in connection to a documentary the media outlet released on March 28. The hearings in both cases were held behind closed doors.

Commenting on imprisonment of the journalist, Adhadhu’s CEO Hussain Fiyaz Moosa stated that the journalists were sentenced without being given an opportunity to defend themselves against the allegations. Although the High Court has accepted the appeal filed against the sentences, hearings have yet to be scheduled.

The imprisonment of the two journalists prompted concern from several international organizations. The International Federation of Journalists and the Committee to Protect Journalists condemned the ruling and called for their immediate release.

Additionally, the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives has launched an investigation into the matter. Commission officials visited the journalists during their detention to assess their well-being and clarify the circumstances surrounding the case.

Both journalists were released after fully serving their court-mandated prison sentences.