Home minister stripped of power to seek surveillance orders

A three member committee will vet suspects before Naseer can seek a monitoring and control – or ‘monicon’ orders – on them from the high court.

Trial begins for three ‘Jihadis’

Ahmed Latheef, Ahmed Suhail Moosa, and Munawwar Abdulla are the first to stand trial for traveling abroad with the intent of joining a terror group after the offence was criminalised by the controversial 2015 Anti-Terrorism Act.

Teacher arrested on suspicion of links to terror groups

A senior teacher at the Kunahandhoo island school was arrested last night on suspicion of links to terrorist organisations. But islanders are incredulous. “He is a good, pious man, the community trusts him,” the council president said.

Police searching for three suspected gang members with ‘MoniCon’ orders

The police are searching for three young men in order to enforce monitoring and control (MoniCon) orders granted by the High Court to electronically tag and monitor their whereabouts.

Government wants to keep list of terror organisations secret

The ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives is seeking to remove provisions in the new anti-terror act requiring the president to make public a list of organisations linked to terrorism.

The rule of fear in the Republic

With the ratification of the new anti-terror law, anyone in the country could have his or her enjoyment of human rights set back to dictatorship-era standards, to an extent that will make you question whether Maldives ever transitioned from it, argues Mushfique Mohamed.

Human rights watchdog calls for review of anti-terrorism law

After social media outcry, government vows not to abuse anti-terrorism law

Home Minister Umar Naseer has vowed that the government “will not abuse” the Anti Terrorism Act in the wake of a public outcry over fears that the law could be used to prosecute dissidents.