Maldives News

MDP vice president accused of defaming Elections Commission

Shifaz, a former lawmaker, was summoned for questioning Tuesday night for alleging during the 2017 local council elections campaign that the independent electoral body was subject to undue influence from President Abdulla Yameen.

Court releases MP Waheed and JP secretary-general

MP Mohamed Waheed Ibrahim has been released by the criminal court after 23 days in police custody on the condition that the lawmaker shares his phone number and refrains from committing any crimes.

Judge decides to proceed with MP Ibrahim Didi’s terrorism trial

The judge overruled objections from the defence lawyer who contended that the lawmaker could not be prosecuted for the second time on the same charge as the Prosecutor General’s office had withdrawn the case two years ago.

Villa slams tax authority over lawsuits to recover US$166m

Villa and its subsidiary companies do not owe any money to the state, the legal team insisted in a statement Monday, accusing the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority of trying to “discredit the companies and damage the businesses”.

Rilwan and Yameen’s relatives fired for joining protest march

The nephew of missing journalist Ahmed Rilwan and sister of murdered blogger Yameen Rasheed were sacked on Monday for joining a protest march to mark three years after the former was abducted at knifepoint.

Two expats caught after escape from detention centre

The pair was among five Bangladeshi men who broke out of the expat detention centre after tearing through a tin fence.

Central bank governor steps down

Dr Azeema Adam has stepped down as governor of the central bank to relocate with her husband who recently took up the double post of permanent representative to the United Nations and ambassador to the United States.

‘The cash that entered my house was not halal’: Yameen

The opposition has seized upon President Abdulla Yameen’s apparent admission that he benefited from a historic corruption scandal pinned on his jailed former right-hand man.

Teacher sacked for wearing niqab

A primary school teacher on the island of Mathiveri in Alif Alif atoll was sacked on Thursday for refusing to take off her niqab, or full-face veil, in compliance with a controversial civil service dress code.

Dozen opposition MPs face charges for entering parliament building

The police are seeking charges against 12 opposition MPs alleged to have scaled security barricades to enter the People’s Majlis building on July 24.

Witnesses testify against Raajje TV arson suspect

The trial of the only suspect charged over the torching of the opposition-aligned Raajje TV in October 2013 resumed Monday afternoon with three policemen testifying for the prosecution.

Nadheem’s murder suspect served time for violating monicon order

A suspect arrested Thursday night in connection with a fatal stabbing in the capital was released in April after serving a one-year prison term for violating a ‘monitoring and control’ order.

PPM rallies support for government

The ruling Progressive Party of Maldives staged rallies across the country Saturday in a show of support for the administration of embattled President Abdulla Yameen.

Maldives blogger killed for ‘mocking Islam’, say police

Yameen wins Asia HRD lifetime achievement award

Supreme Court hears appeals from disqualified lawmakers

The Supreme Court has begun hearing appeals from four former ruling party lawmakers contentiously deemed to have been stripped of their seats by the Elections Commission.

Court remands Anas murder suspects

Mohamed Anas’ family urges police to name the twelve suspects remanded over his brutal murder.

The road to justice is paved with answers to Rilwan’s abduction

The non-action of the authorities has created and nourished a culture of impunity for criminals that have made Malé one of the most dangerous cities in the world to live, writes Azra Naseem.

Police crack down on march for abducted journalist

The police cracked down Tuesday afternoon on a march led by the family of abducted journalist Ahmed Rilwan, snatching banners and placards and arresting nine people.

Multi-resort project underway in lagoon near Malé

Phase one of the project comprises “a three-island-resorts concept, with a core island township bringing a veritable wealth of world-class food and beverage, retail, entertainment, recreation and leisure-lifestyle experiences to the Maldives for the very first time,” according to the Thai developer.