Spokesperson at the President’s Office, Ibrahimm Muaz Ali has said that it has not filed any cases against any journalists or media outlets at the Maldives Media Council (MMC).

In a series of tweets sent out in Dhivehi on Monday, spokesperson at the President’s Office said that the First Lady has not filed cases against any journalists or media organizations, adding that she believes that journalists and media organizations ‘must remain free’.

He further noted that the First Lady requests to take any issues regarding her or the work she is doing to the relevant institutions.

Less than an hour after announcing that they are looking into whether any cases have been filed under the Office’s name, Muaz said that “no cases have been filed against any journalists or media organizations by the President’s Office”.

“We have informed this to the Maldives Media Council”, he added.

Six journalists at RaajjeTV were served with letters on Sunday, informing them that cases have been filed against them by the Chief Communications Officer at the President’s Officer, for allegedly defaming First Lady Fathimath Ibrahim. Cases were filed individually against the station’s journalists Ali Yoosuf, Ahmed Muhsin, Mohamed Fazeen, Azmoon Ahmed, Mohamed Wisam and Abdulla Naseer Ibrahim; with two cases filed against Azmoon and Fazeen.

READ MORE: Cases filed against six journalists at RaajjeTV for defaming First Lady

Since then, other media organization’s such ‘Mihaaru’ and ‘VFP’ have received similar letters as well.

RaajjeTV has been fined twice under the Anti-Defamation and Freedom of Speech Act, introduced in 2016. The Act, has been described as ‘serious setback’ for freedom of expression in the Maldives.