Crime

May Day protester sentenced to seven years for assaulting policeman

A 50-year-old man has been sentenced to seven years in prison after being found guilty of assaulting a policeman during a mass anti-government protest on May 1 last year.

Adeeb oversaw theft of US$5m resort lease payment, contends prosecution

The embezzlement of US$5 million paid for leasing the island of Mabinhura in Lhaviyani atoll was carried out on the instructions of detained former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb, state prosecutors told the criminal court today.

Local market assault victim in critical condition

Police recover money stolen from Addu City murder victim

The police have arrested three suspects in the murder of a 47-year-old businessman in Addu City and recovered cash stolen from the victim’s general store.

Family of Afrasheem murder convict plea for help over reports of self injury

The family of a man on death row, convicted of killing a parliamentarian, has called on the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives to inquire into reports of self-injury.

Police dismiss reports of ‘cannibalism drug’

The police have dismissed speculation linking two recent assaults by biting to the use of a synthetic drug commonly known as bath salts. In a statement yesterday, the police sought to assuage public fears following widely circulated messages suggesting the assailants were under the influence of the pyschoactive drug, also known as cloud nine.

Boy found unconscious on Addu street

A 15-year-old boy was found unconscious on an Addu City street with head injuries on Sunday night, the police have said.

Third resort robbery prompts concern

A third robbery reported on a luxury resort has sparked concern with the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party accusing the government of failing to ensure safety and security for tourists.

Man discovered dead in Addu taro field

The body of a businessman, reported missing after a burglary at his general store, was found dead in an abandoned taro field in southern Addu City this morning.

Mugger bites off part of praying man’s ear

A mugger attacked a man while he was praying at a mosque in Malé this morning and bit off part of his ear during an attempt to steal his phone.

Major reshuffle in police force again

In the latest re-shuffle of the police force, the head of police’s crime investigation department was replaced this month with Abdulla Nawaz, the assistant police chief who also sits on a commission investigating a blast on President Abdulla Yameen’s boat.

Home Minister claims Adeeb planned to set off bomb on May Day

Detained former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb had planned to set off a bomb during a historic anti-government protest on May Day last year, Home Minister Umar Naseer has alleged.

Adeeb’s cousin arrested on arson charges

A man related to detained former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb was arrested on a charge of planning an arson attack in Male on Friday, The Maldives Independent understands.

Bank staff arrested over leak of transactions by company in MMPRC scandal

A senior national bank staff was arrested Thursday on a charge of leaking details of financial transactions by a company involved in the Maldives’ biggest corruption scandal.

Police fail to catch suspects in Malé whiskey rampage

Police officers failed to catch a group who hurled some 15 bottles of whiskey onto the streets of Malé last night but managed to seize their car after a chase.

Man arrested over luxury resort safe burglary

A 19-year old man was arrested on Friday on suspicion of links to a burglary on luxury resort Gasfinolhu operated by international chain Club Med.

Four-year-old girl stabbed to death on northern island

Ahmed Vishan, Noomaraa island council president, told The Maldives Independent that the child’s grandfather found her body after dawn prayers. “She was stabbed in the neck and shoulder joints. The mother was also sitting in the room awake at the time,” he said.

US$79m embezzled in Maldives’ biggest corruption scandal

A staggering US$79 million from the Maldives tourism promotion company was siphoned off into the bank accounts of former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb’s associates, including US$65 million collected as acquisition costs from leasing islands, lagoons, and plots of land for tourism.

Government accused of negligence over inmate’s death

The family of an inmate who died at the state-owned hospital on Sunday has accused the Maldives Correctional Services of negligence by failing to provide prompt care for liver and kidney failure.

MDP calls for President Yameen to face investigation over Maldives biggest ever corruption scandal

The MDP said it had received documents via email that appear to show Yameen is “equally involved” in the corruption involving his former deputy Ahmed Adeeb and the state tourism promotion firm Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation.