High Court has accepted the appeal against the prison sentences handed down by the Criminal Court against two journalists from Adhadhu over contempt of court charges.

Journalists Mohamed Shahzan and Leevan Ali Naseer were sentenced after allegedly violating a court order prohibiting discussion of a video documentary published by Adhadhu.

Shahzan received a 15-day prison sentence after raising questions about the documentary during a press conference held at the President’s Office.

Leevan was sentenced to 10 days in prison for reporting on the court order itself. Both journalists have since completed their sentences and been released.

The appeal was filed against the rulings on the grounds that due process had not been followed, evidence had not been properly considered and they had not been given the opportunity to obtain legal representation.

Their appeal also sought a stay on the prison sentences.

The Criminal Court had earlier ordered that the documentary should not be circulated publicly and that no details from it should be discussed directly or indirectly.

The order was issued following the filing of a qazf case by the prosecution against Adhadhu CEO Hussain Fiyaz Moosa and editor Hassan Mohamed.

Maldives Journalists Association also challenged the order at the High Court, though the appeal was dismissed. However, High Court accepted a separate appeal filed by Fiyaz against the order.