Former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed has said he is prepared to violate the Criminal Court’s gag order related to the documentary “Aisha.”

The Prosecutor General’s Office filed defamation charges against CEO Hussain Fiyaz Moosa and Managing Editor Hassan Mohamed over the documentary. The case was submitted to court on Wednesday.

Following a request by prosecutors, the Criminal Court issued a gag order banning the broadcast of the documentary until a court decision is made. The order also prohibits sharing any content from the documentary, directly or indirectly, and requires the trial to be conducted in secret.

In a post on X, Nasheed said the government responded to allegations published in the newspaper by prosecuting journalists and preventing discussion of the claims.

“Violating the court order openly is standing up for press freedom, and I am ready to violate it,” Nasheed said.

He also criticized actions taken against journalists, including criminal charges, raids on newspaper offices, confiscation of belongings, and restrictions on press access.

Nasheed called on the government to withdraw the charges against Hussain Fiyaz Moosa and Hassan Mohamed.