Cyber-dissident Mohamed Zaki freed
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has cautiously welcomed the release of cyber-dissident Mohamed Zaki after two years in prison and 19 months under house arrest. The organisation also called on President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom to send a “positive signal” to the world by freeing other journalists still being detained, including two arrested several days ago. Zaki, who […]
International PEN protests arrest of writer Mohamed Nasheed, fears ill-treatment
(WiPC/IFEX) – The WiPC of International PEN is seriously concerned about the arrest of opposition politician and writer Mohamed Nasheed, who was among several members of the newly established opposition party, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), arrested on 12 August 2005 during a peaceful protest in Malé. Nasheed was reportedly beaten by police after being […]
Journalists targeted in crackdown on pro-democracy opposition
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has voiced concern over a wave of press freedom violations in recent weeks in the Maldives, which culminated in the arrests of several journalists and the closure of the only opposition publication. This follows the arrest and detention of Mohamed Nasheed, leader of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), on 12 August […]
Internet service provider employee detained
(RSF/IFEX) – On 1 May 2005, Ismail Faiz, a systems engineer with the country’s sole Internet service provider, Dhiraagu, was arrested and detained. Although he was officially accused of “terrorism”, “incitement to violence” and “attempting to overthrow the government”, he is reportedly being held for working with the London-based opposition website Dhivehi Observer. RSF urged […]
Free elections threatened by lack of pluralism, says RSF
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF is concerned that the 22 January 2005 elections in the Maldives have virtually no chance of being free and fair, as promised by the government, because of a striking absence of press freedom in the country. President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, his family and supporters control both public and private media outlets, in […]
WiPC protests growing attacks on “cyber-dissent”, launches global campaign to release cyber-dissidents in China, Maldives and Vietnam
(WiPC/IFEX) – The following is a WiPC press statement: International PEN’s Writers in Prison Committee Protests Growing Attacks on “Cyber-Dissent” in Asia On 10 December 2004, the Writers in Prison Committee of the world association of writers, International PEN, will be marking International Human Rights Day with a global campaign to release “cyber-dissidents” held in […]
Cyber-dissident gives first-person account of abuses suffered in prison
(RSF/IFEX) – The following is an RSF press release: Personal account: Fathimath Nisreen, cyber-dissident imprisoned in the Maldives “I was never physically tortured. But the psychological scars from what I underwent in prison are irreversible.” Fathimath Nisreen was arrested in January 2002 for helping to publish an e-mail newsletter called Sandhaanu that covered human rights […]
Cyber-dissident Fathimath Nisreen “banished” again
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has welcomed cyber-dissident Fathimath Nisreen’s release from prison on 25 October 2004. However, the organisation denounced the news that she would be transferred within a few days to Feeail Island, south of the capital, to resume serving a five-year “banishment” sentence. Nisreen was detained on 13 August in the wake of a […]
RSF concerned over fate of four cyber-dissidents two months after their arrest
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has expressed concern about four cyber-dissidents – Mohamed Zaki, Ahmad Didi, Fathimath Nisreen and Naushad Waheed – arrested on 13 August 2004 as police broke up a pro-democracy demonstration. The organisation says it is especially worried about their prison conditions and has called for their immediate release. RSF also called on the […]
Cyber-dissidents jailed, one tortured in detention
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has called on the European Union (EU) to obtain the release of four cyber-dissidents, including three persons working for the online newsletter “Sandhaanu”, who have been jailed since police broke up a 13 August 2004 pro-democracy demonstration. One of the detainees, Ahmad Didi, has been tortured and is reported to be in […]
RSF urges British telecom giant to put pressure on Maldives authorities to end Internet censorship and press for the release of imprisoned Internet writers
(RSF/IFEX) – The following is a 20 July 2004 RSF open letter to Cable & Wireless Chief Executive Officer Francesco Caio: Open Letter to Francesco Caio, CEO of Cable & Wireless British firm operates the Internet in the Maldives, a country that censors the Web and jails Internet users Reporters Without Borders has urged the […]
CPJ condemns prolonged detention of journalists
(CPJ/IFEX) – In a 28 April 2004 letter to President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, CPJ condemned the prolonged detention of three people – Ahmed Didi, Fathimath Nisreen, and Mohamed Zaki – affiliated with the online publication “Sandhaanu” who were arrested in early 2002. A fourth person, Ibrahim Luthfee, was also arrested, but escaped in May 2003. […]
RSF calls for early release of Internet writers as they begin their third year in prison
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has called for the early release of three Internet writers, two of whom were jailed for life in July 2002 for “defamation” and “attempting to overthrow the government”. The organisation’s call came after Maldives President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom promised a reform of the prison system. Mohamed Zaki and Ahmad Didi, directors of […]
Government introduces changes to press law and cancels 22 publication licences
(RSF/IFEX) – On 15 April 2003, RSF expressed concern over the Maldives government’s recent cancellation of 22 publication licences and its amendment of the press law, allowing for the withdrawal of the licence of any publication that fails to publish at least three successive issues. RSF said the changes to the law increase the government’s […]
Heavy sentences handed down to Internet writers
(WiPC/IFEX) – International PEN is deeply shocked by the heavy sentences handed down to Internet writers Mohamed Zaki, Ibrahim Moosa Luthfee, Ahmed Ibrahim Didi and Fathimath Nisreen. Businessmen Didi, Luthfee and Zaki, and Nisreen, personal secretary to Luthfee, were arrested between 30 January and 1 February 2002 for their alleged involvement with “Sandhaanu”, an Internet […]
Journalist Mohamed Nasheed sentenced to two years in prison for sedition and defamation
**For background to previous harassment of Mohamed Nasheed, see IFEX alerts dated 10 March 1995, 8 and 1 December 1994** On 3 April 1996, journalist Mohamed Nasheed was sentenced to two years in prison. He was convicted under Law No. 38B of the Penal Code for sedition and defamation of the State for an article […]