Maldives News

Second MP’s phone confiscated over tweet

The police summoned main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party MP Ali Nizar for questioning over a tweet last night and confiscated his phone.

Watchdog lets police off the hook over torture claims

Man fined MVR8,000 over ‘white underwear protest’

The Rasdhoo island magistrate court has fined a man MVR8,000 (US$520) for snatching back from the police a large pair of white underwear hung outside the courthouse as part of a protest in September 2013.

A conversation with Umar Naseer

Ex Home Minister Umar Naseer speaks candidly about his resignation from the cabinet, the changing political landscape, and the high-profile murder of Dr Afrasheem Ali.

Electricity, commercial housing projects launched in Hulhumalé

President Abdulla Yameen laid the foundation stone Sunday for a new power station in the capital’s suburb Hulhumalé. The state-owned housing corporation has meanwhile signed several contracts for commercial housing projects in the reclaimed artificial island.

Maldives ‘rejects’ international criticism of defamation bill

The defamation bill “does not seek to criminalise free speech,” the government insists, claiming that it would “provide a layer of protection for those who may fall victim to scurrilous and defamatory articles and to ensure that such comment does not impact upon issues of religious sentiment or national security.”

Riot police switch off microphones at MUO rally

Riot police officers tried to halt an opposition rally Monday night after forcibly entering the Maldivian Democratic Party’s haruge (meeting hall) in Malé without a court order.

Yameen appoints new home minister

Yameen has replaced Home Minister Ahmed Zuhoor with Azleen Ahmed, a junior minister at the education ministry. The reason for the sudden change remain unclear.

MP under investigation for ‘hateful’ tweet

The Jumhooree Party MP said the police did not directly accuse him of a specific crime, “but it was quiet clear from their questioning and also from the comments they made that I have been accused of obstruction of police duties and of inciting hatred and violence.”

Majlis proceeds with criminalising defamation

The ruling party-dominated parliament voted today to accept a bill on criminalising defamation and restricting free speech, disregarding forceful international criticism and a free speech campaign by local journalists.

Commonwealth envoy arrives in Maldives

Kenya’s former chief justice flew into the Maldives Sunday for his first visit as a special envoy of the Commonwealth amid an intensifying government crackdown on dissent.

Defamation bill draws international criticism

The revised defamation bill is a “serious setback for freedom of speech in the Maldives,” said the US, UK, EU, Germany, Norway and the Netherlands in a strongly worded joint statement.

Ex-minister placed under police protection

Ex home minister Umar Naseer says he has been placed under police protection after receiving death threats from a group of unidentified men carrying knives.

Airport project on protected island alarms environmentalists

Environmental groups say construction of an airport on the “unique and rare” island of Dhigulaabadhoo in southern Gaaf Dhaal Atoll would lead to biodiversity loss.

MUO leaders’ phones confiscated, questioned over detainee fund

“The police questioned us regarding the detainee fund. Apparently, they are of the view that the fund is an obstruction to the proper functioning of the state and implementation of the rule of law,” Latheef, shadow minister for civil rights, told reporters yesterday.

Defamation bill on Majlis agenda as free speech campaign gains momentum

A group of journalists launched a campaign last week to raise awareness about the dangers posed by the proposed law, warning that it would spell the end of a free press as well as freedom of expression in the Maldives.

Social media activist arrested for ‘inciting hatred’

Shammoon Jaleel was arrested with a court warrant on suspicion of fomenting unrest and inciting hatred among the public towards the security forces. The criminal court also authorised the police to confiscate his phone to extract all his conversations, text messages, and other interactions.

Police crack down on opposition prayer, tea party

Riot police cracked down on the opposition’s weekly prayer gathering and a tea party Friday afternoon using pepper spray and force. The father of jailed MP Ahmed Mahloof was among seven men arrested outside the Islamic centre.

Death in the tropical paradise

Omkar Khandekar explores “the melting pot of conspiracy theories” spawned by the assassination of Dr Afrasheem Ali in October 2012.

Two journalists, opposition figures arrested from mosque

Two journalists and four opposition figures were arrested Tuesday night while opposition supporters attempted to perform a prayer inside the Islamic centre in Malé. All six were released after about four hours in custody.