The Bar Council has intervened in the appeal case lodged at the High Court against the Criminal Court gag order preventing discussion of an Adhadhu News video documentary. 

The Bar Council said today that it has decided to intervene in the case as part of their ongoing efforts to uphold due process, press freedom, freedom of expression and right to information. 

Initially, the appeal against the gag order was submitted by the Maldives Journalists Association. However, the High Court registrar rejected the case stating that the appeal can only be lodged by a party directly related to the case the order stems from. An appeal was then lodged by Adhadhu News CEO Hussain Fiyaz Moosa.

Criminal charges have been raised against Fiyaz and Adhadhu News editor Hassan Mohamed in relation to the video documentary. The gag order, with a blanket ban on the public and media from discussing any matters related to the documentary, was issued through this case. Two Adhadhu News journalists for later imprisoned for contempt of court, citing breach of the gag order. 

In an earlier statement, the Bar Council raised concerns that freedom of expression, press freedom, due process and justice were being narrowed. 

Issues they highlighted include Criminal Court imprisoning journalists for contempt of court, issuing blanket gag orders preventing the public from discussing ongoing cases, narrowing the right to legal representation and the right to hold open trials. 

The Bar Council asserted that State actions must comply with the Constitution and due process, and should not undermine constitutionally guaranteed rights and freedoms.