Criminal Court rules no legal basis to order police to return items seized during search of Adhadhu news office
25 އޯގަސްޓު 2026 | އަންގާރަ 11:25The Criminal Court has ruled that the seizure of items from the "Adhadhu" news office during a police search related to the "Aisha" documentary was conducted in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Act. In his judgment, Judge Ibrahim Zihunee stated that there are no legal grounds to order the police to return the confiscated materials at this time.
Police active at Adhadhu news office. | Raajje MV
The Criminal Court has ruled that there are no grounds to order the return of items seized by police during a court-authorized search of the "Adhadhu" online news office, conducted in connection with the documentary "Aisha" published on the outlet's social media platforms.
The police raid on the news outlet's office took place after President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu dismissed the documentary's allegations as false and called on the relevant authorities to take legal action against those involved.
In a ruling issued following a challenge filed by Adhadhu, the court determined that the search of the news outlet's premises, the seizure of items, and the subsequent extension of the period for police custody of those materials were all conducted in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Act.
Consequently, the court ruled that there are no legal or Shari'ah grounds to order the police to return the items that have not yet been restored to the claimant.
The Criminal Court's ruling was delivered by Judge Ibrahim Zihunee.
