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Sandhaanu

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Sandhaanu (meaning Throne in English) was an online political news magazine in the Maldives.[1] It was launched in 1999.[2]

Its main editor Ahmed Didi together with his main contributors Ibrahim Luthfee and Mohamed Zaki were sentenced to life in prison while another editor, Fathimath Nisreen, to 10 years in prison in 2003 for their criticism of President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and his government.[2][3][4] One of their contributors (Ibrahim Luthfee) managed to escape from prison and went under the protection of the Swiss government.[5][4] The others remained in prison and suffered torture and isolation constantly before being released due to the threat of economic sanctions by the European Union against the Maldivian Government. Hence, as a show of cooperation to the EU, the Maldives Government released the remaining editors one by one erasing all criminal charges brought against them.[6]

At the end of 2006, they started an online version of their news magazine which has gained popularity among Maldivians living abroad. By 2007, they had started the production of their own weekly magazine which was mostly is seen as a magazine opposed to Gayoom's Government. When Gayoom was ousted from power Sandhaanu became a pro-government magazine focusing on various areas of concern in the country. However, it was closed in 2008.[2]

References

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  1. ^ Lutfy, Ibrahim (2005). "Freedom of expression in the Maldives - Internet and print media" (PDF). CSD Uppsala. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
  2. ^ a b c "Archives: S Magazine". Sandhaanu. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  3. ^ "Court laughs when writer demands 500 year sentence". Maldives Culture. 10 July 2002. Archived from the original on 21 February 2011. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
  4. ^ a b "Editors of an electronic newsletter sentenced to life in prison". Reporters Without Borders. 28 May 2003. Archived from the original on 30 October 2007.
  5. ^ "Ibrahim Luthfee escapes". Maldives Culture. 28 May 2003. Archived from the original on 23 February 2011.
  6. ^ "Maldives leader frees dissidents". BBC News. 22 February 2006. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
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