News Desk
A press briefing called in part to address questions about a Wall Street Journal investigation linking the Maldives to sanctions evasion routes for Russia was disrupted on Monday when a reporter from Adhadhu News entered the state broadcaster’s studio and refused to leave.
The briefing, part of a series called “Press with the Spokesperson,” had been scheduled for 4pm at PSM. It came after eTruth sought clarifications from Chief Government Spokesperson Mohamed Hussain Shareef on the WSJ report, published on 1 September, which alleged that Russia-linked logistics networks had used Velana International Airport as a transit hub for hundreds of millions of dollars in restricted goods bound for Moscow.
Around twenty journalists had formally registered to attend. The session was disrupted when Leavan Ali Naseer, a reporter from Adhadhu, entered the studio and declined to leave as the briefing was about to begin.
Adhadhu is the online outlet which produced a documentary making serious allegations against President Muizzu. The Criminal Court issued a gag order in connection with the documentary, and Leavan had previously served a sentence for breaching that order.
Shareef said the outlet had not been included in the official media group for these briefings. He described Adhadhu as an outlet that engages in drama, filmmaking and unlawful conduct under the guise of journalism, and said its request to attend had not been acknowledged or accepted by the President’s Office.
“While things were proceeding in an orderly and proper manner, just as the press conference was about to begin, Leavan entered the studio, sat down inside and refused to leave,” Shareef said. “That is why the press conference is being delayed.”
The formal briefing group consists of accredited outlets listed in the official gazette, with one designated journalist per outlet registered through a formal process. Adhadhu has not been included in that group since an earlier incident in which one of its journalists made allegations against President Muizzu at an official press conference, in breach of a court order.
Shareef said he expected PSM to take appropriate action over the disruption. He was clear that no outlet would be permitted to obstruct the government’s efforts to communicate its policies and respond to questions from accredited journalists.
“We will not allow anyone, including Adhadhu, to block these sessions,” he said.
The briefing was postponed and rescheduled for a later date. The WSJ questions from eTruth, which prompted the session in the first place, remain unanswered.
