Maldives News

Environmental sustainability: A tale of two presidents

The hope of social media activists that an Environment Impact Assessment could save the Kulhudhufushi mangrove from destruction to build an airport is misplaced, writes environmental scientist Ibrahim Mohamed.

Alleged Maldivian jihadis cleared of intent to join terror group

The first three Maldivian men to be charged with travelling abroad with the intent of joining a terror group have been acquitted of the terrorism charges.

Mixed blessings for Maafushi’s guesthouse boom

The success of Maafushi – and the ensuing development of guesthouses – have sparked concerns. Construction noise has deterred guests, and the loss of sea views has hurt the value of profitable rooms.

Imran and Faris taken back to jail

Adhaalath Party leader Sheikh Imran Abdulla and MP Faris Maumoon were abruptly taken back to Maafushi jail Saturday after short periods under house arrest.

Anti-graft watchdog seeks to recover US$84m

The 43 counts of “recompensing government loss” was among 239 charges forwarded to the Prosecutor General’s office in the third quarter of 2017.

State asks to anonymise witnesses in Faris identity fraud trial

State prosecutors asked the criminal court Sunday to anonymise two witnesses on the grounds that they could lose their jobs if they testify openly in the identity fraud trial of MP Faris Maumoon.

Nasheed calls for interim leader in 2018

An interim government should reform the judiciary and pave the way for free and fair elections, the exiled opposition leader said.

Two Maldivians caught en route to Syria

Two Maldivians en route to join the fighting in Syria have been arrested in Turkey and brought back to the country, according to the police.

Yameen dials up campaign rhetoric

The PPM’s first major rally in months was marred by reports of forced attendance by civil servants and employees of state-owned companies, whose attendance was marked upon entrance at a security check-point.

IPU deeply concerned over human rights violations against Maldives lawmakers

The Inter-Parliamentary Union “regretted that the mandates of seven parliamentarians had been revoked in the absence of any legal basis under Maldivian law. It also raised the alarm about the increased militarization of the physical premises of the parliament.”

Irish tourist drowns in Maldives

Maldives police said the Irishman was 30-years-old, but refused to reveal further details. Irish media named him as Andrew Roddy and said that he was on honeymoon.

Pork and booze pile destroyed

The sale of alcohol and pork is prohibited by law in inhabited islands as the consumption of alcohol and pork is forbidden in Islam. However, both liquor and pork are imported to the Maldives for tourist resorts.

Anti-graft watchdog seeks charges against Fenaka official

The Anti-Corruption Commission is seeking charges against the procurement department director of Fenaka Corporation for allegedly providing undue benefit to private parties in purchasing diesel for the company.

‘MoniCon’ orders implemented against five

The court granted the first MoniCon orders in March 2016, under former home minister Umar Naseer’s administration.

MP Faris seeks temporary suspension of bribery trial

The MP for Dhiggaru constituency will lose his seat if he is found guilty.

Abu Dhabi Fund approves loan for Maldives airport expansion

A loan agreement to finance the airport expansion was signed with the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development during President Abdulla Yameen’s ongoing official visit to the United Arab Emirates.

Probes begin into Abdulla Rasheed custodial death

The Human Rights Commission of the Maldives and the National Integrity Commission are probing the custodial death on October 10 of Abdulla Rasheed, who was serving a five-year sentence on assault charges.

The stigma and struggle of mental health in the Maldives

The Maldives has an acute shortage of qualified mental health professionals despite growing mental health problems among the population.

High Court hears appeal from Muleeage bomb convict

Government scraps domestic airports deal with Malaysian company

The government has terminated contracts signed with Malaysia’s Gryphon Energy Corporation in March to build five domestic airports in four atolls at a cost of US$57.5 million.