The Criminal Court has ordered Adhadhu to stop circulating a video documentary after the Prosecutor General’s Office filed a criminal defamation case alleging that it contained false and unsubstantiated claims.

The case was filed against Adhadhu’s Editor-in-Chief and Chief Executive Officer, Hussain Fiyaz Moosa, and editor Hassan Mohamed.

Both have been charged under Article 612 of the Maldives Penal Code, which criminalises qadhf, or making false accusations that damage a person’s reputation.

As part of the proceedings, the Criminal Court issued an interim order barring the further distribution of the documentary until the case is concluded.

The documentary was released during the recent local council election campaign.

Authorities said the video included false allegations and claims unsupported by evidence. Adhadhu had also published similar documentary-style videos during the presidential election campaign.