The nine writers were detained and held in Maekelawi without charge for nearly twelve weeks in 2014, before being charged under the country's Anti-Terrorism Proclamation. 
Waandishi hawa tisa walishikiliwa huko Maekelawi bila ya kufunguliwa mashitaka yoyote kwa takribani wiki 12 mwaka 2014, kabla ya kushitakiwa kwa sheria ya nchi ya kukabiliana na Ugaidi.