"Police in the Maldives have raided the offices of a critical news outlet and barred its editors from leaving the country after it published a documentary alleging an affair between President Mohamed Muizzu and a former aide. The government on Tuesday defended the operation against Adhadhu Online as a lawful response to what Muizzu has described as 「baseless lies」."

"This is being done by the police, with the influence of the government, on the government's order, to directly stop our work"

"Police were 「right to investigate and raid the news outlet over false [adultery] allegations against the President. Press freedom is guaranteed, but not a free pass to destroy reputations with lies."

"The raid on Adhadhu and subsequent travel bans are an attempt to criminalise investigative journalism under the guise of religious and national interests. Using religious laws to bypass civil media regulations sets a chilling precedent"

"The government is crossing a clear red line. We demand an immediate end to the intimidation of journalists and the suppression of press freedom."