Leevan Ali Naseer, a journalist with Adhadhu newspaper, was arrested Tuesday while protesting against the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Bill, which critics say severely undermines press freedom, the newspaper reported.
According to Adhadhu, the journalist was “brutally arrested” during the demonstration. When asked about his disappearance, police declined to confirm whether he had been detained. The newspaper later confirmed his arrest and obtained video footage showing three policemen physically restraining and assaulting Leevan.
The protests, involving journalists and members of the public, have been ongoing since Tuesday morning near the Parliament compound in Malé. Police used excessive force to disperse demonstrators, according to reporters at the scene.
Journalists at the protest reported that police knelt on some reporters’ heads, twisted their hands, and damaged their clothing, leaving some bleeding. The protest continues despite police pushing demonstrators back from the area where the journalists had been.
Some journalists who have opposed the bill have also received death threats, including Ahmed Aaidh and Mohamed Shahzan of Adhadhu newspaper and Ahmed Naif of Dhauru newspaper, according to local reports.
The government has defended the bill, saying it is intended to strengthen media accountability and combat misinformation.