Police Ask RaajjeTV Staff to Return During Office Hours Over Assault Complaint
26 ސެޕްޓެމްބަރު 2026 | ހޮނިހިރު 08:32Police have refused to accept a formal complaint regarding an attack on a RaajjeTV crew in Dhaalu Meedhoo, instructing the team to return during official working hours instead.
Police Headquarters, Shaheed Hussain Adam Building. | Social Media
Police have instructed a RaajjeTV crew to return during official working hours to file a formal complaint regarding an assault they faced while filming a program in Dh. Meedhoo. The instruction was reportedly given by the police reception when the team attempted to report the incident.
When a RaajjeTV employee arrived at the police headquarters on Saturday to officially file the case, the officer on duty at the reception desk took the letter but refused to accept the complaint. The employee was instead instructed to return during official working hours on a business day.
On September 25, 2026, a RaajjeTV crew conducting an interview for a program in Dh. Meedhoo was attacked by a group of individuals, including Abdulla Latheef—a relative of First Lady Sajidha Mohamed—and several members of the People's National Congress (PNC). The group reportedly assaulted the television crew and local residents who were assisting them with their work.
Furthermore, in addition to shouting profanities and causing a public disturbance, the former Vice President of the Meedhoo Council, Ali Shareef, used his motorcycle to strike a chair where a RaajjeTV cameraman was seated. He also reportedly attempted to damage the station's broadcasting equipment during the incident.
RaajjeTV decided to report the matter to the police following a history of politically motivated attacks against the station, including a previous arson attack and numerous threats of violence against its staff. The station further emphasized that such threats pose a grave danger to the lives and safety of journalists, necessitating formal legal intervention.
Consequently, when RaajjeTV attempted to officially file the matter with the police—urging them to treat it as a serious case, conduct a thorough investigation, ensure the safety of its staff, and provide them with full protection—the authorities refused to accept the complaint, instructing the station to return during official working hours.
However, RaajjeTV believes that such matters cannot be addressed by the police solely within official working hours. Furthermore, in critical situations where a person's life may be at risk or the station could face significant damage, such a response is entirely unacceptable.
