Local online news outlet "Adhadhu" has filed a case with the Criminal Court, seeking a court order for the return of equipment confiscated by the police during an office raid.

The police operation was linked to an ongoing investigation into a documentary published by the media outlet, which leveled several allegations against President Mohamed Muizzu.

On April 27, police raided Adhadhu's headquarters and seized laptops and other electronic devices essential to the newspaper's daily journalistic operations. Despite more than a month and a half passing since the incident, the authorities have yet to return the confiscated items to the news agency.

In connection with the documentary, criminal defamation (qazf) charges have been raised against Adhadhu’s CEO Hussain Fiyaz Moosa and Managing Editor Hassan Mohamed. Furthermore, acting on a request from the Prosecutor General's (PG) Office, the Criminal Court has issued a gag order prohibiting any direct or indirect discussion surrounding the case.