Maldives News

Electoral body calls by-elections as both sides celebrate Supreme Court ruling

The Elections Commission has announced by-elections after a much anticipated Supreme Court decision on the disputed status of four lawmakers saw both sides claim victory with opposing interpretations.

Raajje TV senior journalist cleared of charges

The veteran journalist was accused of hitting Corporal Mohamed Shaheen during his arrest for refusing to leave the sports complex area of Malé where the military’s bomb disposal experts were defusing an improvised explosive device.

Gasim sentenced in absentia to three years, stripped of seat

Judge Adam Arif delivered the verdict in absentia while the 67-year-old opposition lawmaker remained hospitalised after collapsing inside the courtroom Thursday afternoon.

Inmate dies in Maafushi jail

A 32-year-old inmate at the high-security Maafushi prison died around 7:50 am Thursday morning while undergoing treatment at the island’s medical centre.

Court hears witnesses in Gasim’s bribery trial

Majlis breaks for recess after approving central bank governor

After heated exchanges descended into brawls Wednesday morning, opposition and pro-government lawmakers accused each other today of throwing eggs.

Judicial watchdog suspends criminal court judge

The judicial watchdog has suspended Criminal Court Judge Ahmed Rasheed pending an inquiry into complaints of ethical misconduct.

Gasim rushed to hospital after collapsing at court

Jumhooree Party leader Gasim Ibrahim has been rushed to the hospital after collapsing inside the criminal court Thursday afternoon.

Maldivian man arrested over murder of Bangladeshi

A 33-year-old Maldivian man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering of an expatriate on the island of Himmafushi in Kaafu atoll

Speaker conducts chaotic Majlis sitting under heavy military guard

Walled off from protesting MPs by soldiers in plainclothes, Maseeh adjourned the sitting after calling a vote on the president’s nominee for ambassador to Sri Lanka.

Sultan Park revamped and reopened as ‘Rasrani Bageecha’

The government has meanwhile drawn criticism after announcing that expatriates must pay an entrance fee to visit the new park.

Majlis resumes with soldiers surrounding speaker

The People’s Majlis resumed after a three-week hiatus Tuesday morning with soldiers surrounding embattled Speaker Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed as opposition lawmakers called for his resignation.

Court concludes trial of alleged jihadis

Citing audio analysis of conversations, the state prosecutor told the court that one of the defendants told a witness he was in the “sacred land of Shām to seek Jannat-ul Firdaus”.

‘This guy is gonna dump US$16bn’: MP Nihan’s leaked audio

A full translation of a leaked audio clip of Majority Leader Ahmed Nihan saying that the constitution was amended to facilitate the sale of Himithi in Faafu atoll to then-Deputy Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman Al Saud.

Yameen on Adeeb and corruption allegations in rare press conference

President Abdulla Yameen took questions from reporters for the first time since October 2015 at an extraordinary press conference in mid-July. He addressed long-standing allegations of corruption and spoke at length on the ruling party split and loss of the pro-government majority in parliament.

Assistant governor resigns after president withdraws nomination

Neeza Imad, the assistant governor of the Maldives central bank, resigned Sunday after President Abdulla Yameen withdrew her nomination to replace the outgoing governor.

Teachers threatened with dismissal for joining protest

The education ministry has threatened to sack four teachers from the southern islands of Thinadhoo and Villigili alleged to have taken part in anti-government protest marches over the jailing of opposition lawmakers.

Court rejects plea to suspend MP Faris’s identity fraud trial

At a preliminary hearing Sunday morning, Judge Ibrahim Ali announced that the trial will commence on October 8 after a mandatory 30-day period required by the new criminal procedures law.

MPs Ameeth and Saud released with conditions

The criminal court imposed a curfew of 9 pm on the pair and prohibited them from meeting any witnesses. Their release was conditional upon appearing at court when summoned.

MDP fined MVR60k for alleged call to gather outside police headquarters

A tweet urging supporters to come to the police station in solidarity with an elderly female activist summoned for questioning “violates section seven and 48 of the Political Parties Act as well as the Freedom of Peaceful Assembly Act,” the electoral body informed the MDP.