Maldives News
Government unveils ‘zero tolerance’ counter-terrorism policy
The government has promised “swift measures” against Maldivians involved with terrorist organisations in a new state policy on combating terrorism and violent extremism. A seven-page policy paper made public on Thursday broadly outlined plans to improve security and conduct de-radicalisation and rehabilitation programmes.
17 Jun 2016, 09:00
PPM divisions reopen over Gayoom’s opposition to grant Yameen party ticket
MPs and members of the PPM have taken to social media calling for Yameen to be awarded the party ticket without a primary after local media claimed that former president and PPM leader Gayoom had refused to endorse his half-brother for the 2018 polls.
16 Jun 2016, 09:00
Saudis defend Maldives first lady over date controversy
The embassy of Saudi Arabia in Malé has spoken out in defence of the first lady of the Maldives, who has been accused of corruption when it emerged that an NGO she founded was distributing dates gifted by the kingdom in its name.
15 Jun 2016, 09:00
‘Bomb maker’ granted witness protection, say local media
The Prosecutor General’s Office has granted immunity and witness protection to a soldier who testified to making two bombs for former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb, local media report.
15 Jun 2016, 09:00
Supreme court asked to summon high-profile witnesses for Nazim’s appeal
The Supreme Court has been asked to summon several high-profile witnesses in light of new evidence that could prove former Defence Minister Mohamed Nazim was framed by the police.
15 Jun 2016, 09:00
Home minister moves to halt production of historical documentary
The home ministry has ordered a southern island to halt production on a movie documenting the forced eviction of its residents in 1962 as collective punishment for a separatist movement.
14 Jun 2016, 09:00
Government revenue increases in first half of 2016
The Maldives Inland Revenue Authority collected MVR6.5 billion (US$421 million) in the first five months of 2016, an increase of 13 percent compared to the same period last year.
14 Jun 2016, 09:00
Two stabbed in 24 hours amid spike in gang violence
A young man was stabbed on a busy street in Malé around 4pm today amid growing concern over a recent spike in gang violence. The stabbing followed the arrest of three suspects after a 21-year-old man was stabbed Monday night in a fight between rival gangs in Malé.
14 Jun 2016, 09:00
First lady dubbed ‘date thief’
First Lady Fathimath Ibrahim has sparked a firestorm of criticism after it emerged that a charity organisation she founded was distributing packets of dates gifted by Saudi Arabia to the people of the Maldives in its name.
14 Jun 2016, 09:00
Executive facing corruption charges appointed as deputy minister
The Maldives Roads Development Corporation’s managing director has been transferred to a political post despite pending corruption charges over a MVR1 million (US$64,850) loss incurred by the state-owned company.
13 Jun 2016, 09:00
Father of toddler arrested in custody battle
The father of a two-year-old boy was arrested Wednesday when he refused to comply with a court warrant ordering the return of his toddler to the mother.
13 Jun 2016, 09:00
Man arrested on suspicion of ‘torturing’ Bangladeshi worker
“The Bangladeshi man came to the police station and complained that he was being beaten up and ill-treated by his sponsor. External signs of physical abuse were found on his body on inspection,” the police spokesman told The Maldives Independent.
13 Jun 2016, 09:00
Opposition condemns ‘unfair, politically motivated trials’
The government has meanwhile asserted the independence of the judiciary and insisted that a bomb caused the September 28 blast on the president’s speedboat: “Any suggestion to the contrary is merely scurrilous, and an obvious attempt to besmirch both the judiciary and the government.”
12 Jun 2016, 09:00
Three Maldivians join extremist group in Syria
The news of the latest Maldivian recruits for jihad comes after President Abdulla Yameen submitted a policy paper on terrorism and violent extremism to the People’s Majlis, seeking the views of lawmakers on “further steps to be taken to address the issue.”
12 Jun 2016, 09:00
Ex-chief prosecutor found guilty of terrorism for conspiring to kidnap president
The criminal court has found the former chief prosecutor guilty of terrorism for conspiring to kidnap President Abdulla Yameen. Muhthaz Muhsin was handed a 17-year jail term tonight.
10 Jun 2016, 09:00
Judge convicted over plot to arrest president
A magistrate has been convicted of conspiring to kidnap President Abdulla Yameen by forging a warrant for his arrest over the Maldives’ biggest corruption scandal. Ahmed Nihan, a senior judge at the Maamigili magistrate court, was sentenced to 17 years in jail.
10 Jun 2016, 09:00
The Economist accused of defaming Maldives government
The government has reacted furiously to The Economist’s coverage of the new opposition coalition launched in London last week, accusing the magazine of being manipulated “to further an agenda that has, as its central aim, the unconstitutional removing of a democratically elected president”.
09 Jun 2016, 09:00
Ex-vice president of Maldives convicted of bomb attack on president
Ahmed Adeeb, the former vice president of Maldives, and two of his military bodyguards have been found guilty by the criminal court for plotting to assassinate the president using a bomb on the presidential speedboat.
09 Jun 2016, 09:00
The cult of Yameen
President Abdulla Yameen and his wife have increasingly taken to feasts, festivals and colourful ceremonies, attended by fawning ministers and MPs, as his popularity sags amid a historic corruption scandal.
09 Jun 2016, 09:00
Judge accuses police of framing him with drugs
A judge at the Thinadhoo magistrate court who was arrested on a drug charge last month told the Supreme Court today that he was framed by the police. Magistrate Ali Rasheed was arrested on May 28 “in a state of intoxication,” according to the police.
08 Jun 2016, 09:00
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