Maldives
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27
Jul
2016
Hussain Fiyaz Moosa and Ahmed Azif
On July 27, two journalists, Hussain Fiyaz Moosa, chief operating officer of the opposition-aligned Raajje TV, and Ahmed Azif, assistant editor of Sun Online, were arrested as opposition supporters attempted to perform a prayer inside an Islamic centre in Malé. Police officers in plainclothes forcibly dispersed the crowd and arrested opposition leaders after Isha (night) prayers. They were released after being held at the police headquarters for about four hours. Fiyaz said he was accused of planning a political activity and of taking photographs inside the mosque. Azif was accused of obstructing police duty.
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8
Apr
2016
Mohamad Wisam & Leevan Ali Naseer
Mohamad Wisam and Leevan Ali Naseer from the opposition-aligned Raajje TV have been served a summon notice to present themselves on criminal court on charges of obstructing the discharging of police duties last year. On November 2, 2015, they were arrested as they reported on the police and military attempts to defuse a bomb found near the Presidential Palace. Wisam was also arrested on March 25, 2015 during anti-government protests, and he is still facing charges for that incident. Wisam has been asked to appear in court for a hearing on April 14 and 17, while Naseer has been ordered to pick up his summon from the criminal court.
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3
Apr
2016
19 journalists
On Sunday, April 3, local journalists from various media organisations staged a demonstration in Male against the recent crackdown on media freedom including the proposed criminal defamation law, the court-ordered closure of Haveeru newspaper, and the protracted investigation into the disappearance of journalist Ahmed Rilwan in 2014. According to various news reports, 19 journalists were arrested, as police used pepper spray and excessive force to end the demonstration. A number of journalists also had to be taken to hospital due to injuries sustained. The journalists arrested worked for local media outlets, including Haveeru, theMaldives Independent, Sangu TV, Raajje TV and Villa TV. They were arrested on charges of obstructing police duty, disobeying police orders and committing illegal actions. The journalists were released late on Sunday evening, after 10 hours of detention but have been ordered to appear at the police station on Monday, April 4 to give their statements.