Any determination regarding a violation of a court order must be made by the judiciary: Home Minister
During a press conference at the President's Office, a journalist from "Adhadhu" was expelled from the hall after the President alleged he had violated a court order in relation to a question he posed. However, Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusaan later clarified that determining whether an individual has breached a court order is a matter for the judiciary. Under the separation of powers, the authority to rule on violations of court orders or contempt of court rests solely with the judicial branch of the state.
Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusaan responds to questions from journalists gathered outside the President's Office. | RaajjeMV
While President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has asserted that an Adhadhu journalist violated a Criminal Court order during a press conference at the President's Office, his Minister of Homeland Security and Technology, Ali Ihusaan, has stated that any determination regarding a breach of a court order must be made by the judiciary.
During Monday's press conference, Adhadhu journalist Mohamed Shahuzan questioned why the President had contacted a female employee late at night and during irregular hours, despite his denial of the allegations made in the "Aisha" documentary. During the briefing, Shahuzan also shared details of call logs obtained by Adhadhu.
In response to the question, the President stated that the journalist was currently in violation of a court order. He then ordered the journalist to leave the press conference. Following the directive, President’s Office security personnel escorted Shahuzan out of the briefing. Live footage of the incident also showed Home Minister Ali Ihusaan standing alongside the security team at the time.
Speaking to reporters outside the President's Office later, Ihsan stated that determining whether an individual or a group has violated a court order is a matter for the judiciary. He emphasized that such rulings fall under the sole jurisdiction of the courts.
If I believe that an illegal activity is occurring within a premises under my supervision, even if it is subject to a court order, I will intervene to stop it. It is then up to the court to determine whether that action was right or wrong. If the discussion pertains to that specific matter, I believe it constitutes a violation of the court order. However, that is for the court to decide. The court must be the one to make that determination; they will take that decision.Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusaan
Although the President determined that Shahuzaan had violated a court order, it is noted that rulings regarding the violation of court orders or findings of contempt of court fall under the jurisdiction of the judiciary, which is a separate branch of the state.
