Maldives News

MP Faris released from custody after six months

The criminal court set three conditions for his release: not attempting to influence or tamper with evidence against him; getting the court’s permission before any travels out of the capital, Malé, and attending court hearings.

President accused of planning 2015 May Day unrest

Adeeb, who is serving a jail sentence on multiple charges, released a statement on the thousandth day of Imran’s jailing.

Freed MP urges government to release opposition leaders

All opposition leaders, aside from former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, are either in prison or exile as the Maldives prepares for this year’s presidential polls.

Villa Group to sue customs, police officials after raids

Sheikh drops defamation charges against journalists

Sheikh Nasrulla Musthafa took five journalists from Mihaaru and news group Vmedia to court last week, claiming they falsely reported that he failed to make pilgrimage arrangements for four people who travelled to Mecca in August.

Judges appointed to High Court and Criminal Court

The appointments come as courts struggle to hear cases due to a judge shortage.

Two men sentenced to 40 lashes for drinking alcohol

Although the Maldives legal system is a combination of sharia law and common law, sharia sentences are uncommon.

Rise in cases of child sex abuse

Child abuse and sexual abuse remain key problems in the Maldives, and a mandatory child sex offenders’ registry was published in 2015.

Government blasts Nasheed over terror threat claims

Mohamed Nasheed said there was a parallel state of religious radicals ready to overrun the country and there were 300 Maldivians fighting in Syria and Iraq.

#SorryNotSorry: Cleric unrepentant over marital rape remark

A former Islamic minister said it was against the Sunnah (teachings of the prophet) to have non-consensual sex with wives.

Germany cautions citizens following Maldives resort raids

Five properties owned by opposition Jumhooree Party leader Gasim Ibrahim were raided by authorities on suspicion of illegally possessing alcohol on Wednesday night.

Probes begin into unborn baby death

A lack of facilities and qualified doctors at regional hospitals and island health centres has caused concern in the past, even protests, with Maldivians travelling to the capital for treatment.

UN body urged to rule that Nasheed’s disqualification is illegal

Mohamed Nasheed is currently ineligible to contest the election as he was sentenced to 13 years in prison on a controversial terrorism charge.

US$126m cash injection from ADB for waste management project

Thilafushi island, which is seven kilometres from Malé, stores the refuse produced in the capital and uses it as landfill, or the rubbish is burnt.

Registered journalists barred from courtroom hearings

Despite the registration process, most hearings get delayed and journalists are forced to wait in the lobby for hours before hearings begin.

Villa resorts owe $5 million in taxes

Jumhooree Party leader Gasim Ibrahim is in Germany after fleeing the Maldives on medical leave while serving a three-year jail term for bribery. He is also the founder of Villa Group, which owns and manages resorts in the Maldives.

Extremists and land grabs herald trouble in paradise, says Nasheed

Mohamed Nasheed, the exiled leader of the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party, cannot run for president due to a prison sentence.

Cleric under fire for marital rape answer

Dr. Muhammed Iyaz Abdul Latheef is a state-licensed scholar who runs an Islamic question and answer group on the messaging app Viber.

Hospital probe launched as child’s health worsens after release from state care

IGMH said it was looking into the case despite not receiving an official complaint from the family.

Women’s group speaks out over sexual abuse

Police recorded 417 cases of sexual assault last year. There have been 16 reported cases of sexual assault this year.