Criminal court threatens to take action against journalists

In a stern statement issued Sunday afternoon, the court accused some journalists of trying to “disrupt peace and stability”, “sow strife and discord among the public”, “create misgivings in the hearts of the people towards institutions and the heads of the Maldivian state”, “bring the three branches of the state into disrepute”, and “create divisions among the Maldivian people”.

“And as it has been noted that some of these writings are of the sort that encourages terrorism, [the court] calls upon all journalists to immediately stop such acts,” reads the brief statement.

Despite the threat of legal action, the constitution and the Judicature Act limit the court’s powers and jurisdiction to the functions of a trial court, which cannot raise charges or initiate criminal proceedings.