Maldives News

Police block march for murdered blogger

About 150 people gathered at the artificial beach in Malé when a police officer warned that the march will be stopped if they move to the street.

Defence ministry overpaid contractor for housing project

The ministry of defence and national security overpaid a private contractor MVR92 million (US$6 million) for a housing project in 2015, an audit report has found.

Supreme court to decide legitimacy of parliament’s removal of state officials

The supreme court has declared itself the final authority to determine the validity of the parliament’s removal of the president, vice president, ministers, judges, the auditor general, prosecutor general and members of independent institutions.

Man fined US$13 for assaulting MP Mariya

The judge opted for the MVR200 fine in lieu of banishment, house arrest or imprisonment for up to six months.

President’s office denies filing defamation complaints

Despite the denial, the Maldives Media Council has asked six Raajje TV journalists and VFP’s editor to respond to several complaints filed by the president’s office about articles deemed defamatory towards First Lady Fathmath Ibrahim.

Family displaced in Malé as bad weather continues

Several other incidents on land and at sea have been reported across the Maldives as a bout of bad weather with the onset of the south-west monsoon continues unabated.

New tourism company evaluating bids for picnic island near Malé

The Maldives Integrated Tourism Development Corporation is evaluating bids for developing a picnic island for public use after reclaiming seven hectares from the Galufalhu lagoon near Malé.

Anti-graft watchdog stops awarding of Hajj quotas

The Anti-Corruption Commission has ordered the Islamic ministry to halt the process of awarding Hajj quotas to five companies that submitted winning bids for taking Maldivian pilgrims to Mecca.

US citizen in immigration detention facility since January

The immigration department was planning to deport the 76-year-old on February 10 over the lack of a passport or valid work visa when the civil court ordered the authorities to halt the deportation until several ongoing cases are concluded.

Missing landing craft found by Indian navy

The Maria-3 vessel was located 130 nautical miles north-west of the island of Isdhoo in Laamu atoll by an Indian navy aircraft

Lawyer arrested for obstruction of Yameen murder investigation released

A criminal defence lawyer arrested on charges of obstructing the investigation into the brutal murder of liberal blogger Yameen Rasheed has been released.

President departs to attend Arab Islamic American Summit

Leaders from more than 50 Arab and Islamic states from around the world will meet with US President Donald Trump at the summit “to renew their collective commitment to confronting the threat of violent extremism and global terrorism,” according to the Saudi government.

Teacher suspended over poem deemed offensive towards first lady

The poem featured a Maldivian folktale she-demon called Santhi Mariyanbu who lugs around a sack of teeth. It recounted a nightmare in which the poor could not afford to pay goods and services tax after the monster finished removing teeth.

Bad weather wreaks havoc across Maldives

On Wednesday night, a tornado struck the southernmost atoll, damaging 12 homes in the Hithadhoo ward of Addu City. The roofs were blown off nine homes and two trees fell on the roofs of three houses when the tornado hit around 10:30 pm.

Ex-official accused of plotting to assassinate judge released to house arrest

Ibrahim Haneef was arrested on April 4 on terrorism charges for allegedly plotting to assassinate High Court Judge Shujau Usman. The criminal extended his remand detention four times before transferring him to house arrest on Tuesday.

Court hears closing arguments in MP Riyaz’s trial

The criminal court heard closing arguments Tuesday in Jumhooree Party MP Abdulla Riyaz’s trial on an obstruction charge raised over his refusal to unlock his mobile phone.

Fitch assigns stable outlook rating for Maldives

The B+ rating reflects strong economic growth and high government revenue from the tourism sector weighed against high debt and low foreign currency reserves.

Judge lifts conditions imposed on Gasim

The move comes after the police apologised for falsely claiming in court that a case against the opposition lawmaker had not been sent for prosecution.

Yameen lashes out at opposition after election loss

The ruling coalition should learn lessons from the loss in the May 6 local council elections, Yameen said, but contended that an “alternative narrative” could be told about the results.

Gasim’s lawyers accuse police of lying in court