PPF urges Maldives to withdraw charges journalists and ensure press freedom

Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) has expressed concern over Criminal Court's decision to fine two journalists from Raajje Television, and urged President Abdulla Yameen's government to "withdraw all the charges against the journalists."

In a letter addressed to President Abdulla Yameen, PPF's secretary general Owais Aslam Ali expressed concern "over the court judgement on January 24 to fine two RaajjeTV journalists for obstructing police officers during reporting."

While they were sentenced a fine of MVR 28,800 on January 24, RaajjeTV journalists, Mohamed Wisam and Leevaan Ali Nasir were found guilty on obstruction charges more than a month prior to their sentencing, on December 19.

The letter noted that the state, despite them being "first-time offenders," had requested that the journalists be imposed the maximum penalty, of four months' detention.

"PPF urges your government to withdraw all the charges against the journalists, conduct impartial investigation in the cases of Wisam, Nasir and Zareer and ensure press freedom in Maldives," reads the letter to the President.

Wisam and Leevaan were arrested with RaajjeTV's Chief Operating Officer, Hussain Fiyaz Moosa, while covering a bomb scare in the capital Male' City, in November 2015. While Fiyaz and Leevaan were charged with obstruction of law enforcement officer, Fiyaz has been charged with "touching an officer without consent."

The sentencing hearing for Fiyaz is to be held in February. The trial was reconvened in January 2017, after a seven-month hiatus.

Wisam also faces the same charge in a separate case. He was arrested with the station's senior cameraman, Adam Zareer, while covering an opposition rally in March 2015. While their trials are being held separately, Zareer's sentencing is scheduled for February 27, while the sentencing hearing for Wisam is set for March 9.

Raajje TV has dismissed the charges against its staff as “baseless in its entirety”, describing the trials as “an attack on press freedom and an attempt to impede, harass and psychologically torture Raajje TV journalist with the objective of stopping Raajje TV’s independent broadcasts.”