IFJ condemns arrest of Maldivian Journalist

March 28, 2013

IFJ condemns arrest of Maldivian Journalist

The International Federation of Journalists joins its affiliate the Maldives Journalist Association (MJA) in strongly condemning the arrest of Sun Online journalist Ahmed Azif.

Afiz was arrested by police who also obstructed his work while he was trying to take pictures outside the Justice Building, which is freely accessible to the public.

Although Afiz showed the police his press card they asked him to display his press card on his body. He explained to them that he didn’t wear his press card while taking pictures of criminals for example, as it could endanger him. The police ignored his explanation for not wearing his press card and arrested him.

“It is clear that his arrest is an attempt by the Maldivian authorities to intimidate journalists,” the IFJ office said. “We demand the Maldivian police refrain from interfering in journalists’ ability to freely conduct their work. We support our affiliate the MJA who will be filing a case with the Maldives Police Integrity Commission about the incident and call upon the Government of the Maldives to act to ensure that journalists are able to fulfil their important watchdog role and guarantee the public’s right to information.”

The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 131 countries

Find the IFJ on Twitter: @ifjasiapacific

Find the IFJ on Facebook: www.facebook.com/IFJAsiaPacific

ENDS

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