Three ex-presidents to meet on protecting press freedom

Former Presidents Mohamed Nasheed, Abdulla Yameen and Ibrahim Mohamed Solih have decided to meet to discuss working together for the protection of press freedom.

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Mariyath Mohamed

2026-05-14 17:59:39

Former Presidents Mohamed Nasheed, Abdulla Yameen and Ibrahim Mohamed Solih have decided to meet to discuss working together for the protection of press freedom. 

Reports say that the three presidents, all currently in opposition, are expected to meet over this weekend. However, a source close to the matter said that a time has not been confirmed yet. 

Although Yameen is currently in Male', Nasheed is in Laamu atoll on a campaign trip, and Solih is in India on an official visit. 

Yesterday, Yameen told Mihaaru News that he had decided to work alongside Solih and Nasheed in defence of journalists. This, he said, is part of protests against the imprisonment of two journalists, and criminal trials against another two. 

Yameen announced his willingness to work with the two former presidents after former MDP Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail called on the former leaders to work together for the cause. Fayyaz stated that this is a time when the former leaders need to unite to save the nation. 

Following Fayyaz's post, Nasheed announced on X that, he, too, would join street demonstrations against the imprisonment of journalists. 

Nasheed joined last night's protests, and said that he would continue to protest every day to ensure that freedom of expression is protected. 

Both MDP and Yameen's PNF have been staged serial protests every night. 

All three former Presidents have criticized the State's move to imprison two Adhadhu journalists on charges of contempt of court citing breach of a Criminal Court gag order. 

The gag order prohibits both media and the public from discussing the contents of the Adhadhu documentary, either directly or indirectly.