Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) has decided to launch an investigation into the treatment of jailed journalists Mohamed Shahzan and Leevan Ali Nasir while in custody.
The Criminal Court issued prison sentences for Shahzan and Leevan citing breach of the court's gag order.
HRCM stated last night that their officials had met with the two journalists, as well as those arrested in subsequent protests calling for their release.
Following their visit and observations, the HRCM said that it has decided to launch probes into issues of concern.
Leevan and Shahzan were initially held at Unit 12 at Maafushi Prison. Leevan has since been moved to a cell in Unit 10. Corrections is yet to reveal the reasons for the transfer.
According to Leevan's lawyers, he is being held alone in a cell which is next to those housing homicide suspects.
The lawyer further claimed that the correctional service is obstructing medical treatment for Leevan, who suffers from a skin condition which is further exacerbated due to prison conditions. The family sent a prescription lotion needed for treatment to jail, but officials have not handed this to Leevan, his family have said.
In response, Corrections said that a medical assessment had been made of both journalists, and that Leevan had not requested any medical treatment after that. They further said that his transfer to another cell was an internal decision, reasons for which will not be disclosed. They, however, deny that he is being held in isolation.
The Criminal Court issued a gag order prohibiting either direct or indirect discussion of an Adhadhu news documentary. The order was issued through the qazf trial against Adhadhu CEO Hussain Fiyaz Moosa and Editor Hassan Mohamed.
Citing breach of the order, Shahzan was jailed for 15 days for posing a question at a presidential press briefing, while Leevan received a 10 day sentence for reporting on the gag order itself. Both sentences have since been appealed at the High Court.
While protests are being held in Male' calling for the journalists' release, several international organizations have also reiterated the call for the two journalists to be freed.
