Maldives Media Council and MJA condemns arrest of Sun journalist

Maldives Media Council and Maldives Journalist Association (MJA) have condemned the arrest of the Sun journalist Ahmed Azif by the police today.

Azif was arrested while he was taking photographs outside the Justice Building this morning. Maldives Media Council released a statement condemning arrest, stating that “the council condemns the arrest of the Sun Online journalist Ahmed Azif by the police, while he was carrying out his duties as a journalist.”

The statement also urged to all parties refrain from actions that might hinder freedom of the press.

MJA also released a statement condemning Azif’s arrest. The statement stated that: “while it is not prohibited to take photographs near the justice building by a journalist or anyone else, arresting a journalist for taking pictures in the area is a deliberate act to instigate fear amongst journalists.”

MJA also called upon the police to refrain from obstructing journalists from carrying out their work.

Azif was arrested after he defied the warnings of the police and was transported to the Henveyru police station where he was asked to sign a statement of release. The statement stated that he had been arrested for obstructing police duties.

From a number of journalists who were standing outside the justice building today, the police had pinpointed Azif and ordered him to display his identification.

Police have been reluctant to answer for the reasons why the journalist was arrested.