Maldives News

Maldives remains ‘very hostile for independent and opposition media’

The Maldives remains “very hostile for independent and opposition media” since the February 2012 “coup d’état,” reads the Reporters Without Borders’ 2016 press freedom index entry on the Maldives. “In a state of emergency and ‘national security’ climate, the media continue to be subjected to police brutality and government obstruction,” RSF observed.

Jailed opposition leaders invited to join talks

“The government must not expect to hold our leaders as hostages at the negotiating table! Negotiations must be sincere and should pave way for political reconciliation,” Shidhatha Shareef, chair of the Adhaalath Party’s foreign relations committee, told The Maldives Independent.

Government to reconsider decision to revoke Nasheed’s medical leave

Home Minister Umar Naseer said in a tweet this morning that he has asked the Maldives Correctional Services’ medical board to review a decision to revoke a 30-day extension of medical leave “due to the confusion created by [Nasheed’s] lawyers,” who had denied President Yameen’s claim that the opposition leader was due to undergo surgery in the UK.

Majlis passes long-awaited Criminal Procedures Act

The landmark Criminal Procedure Act, comprising of 30 chapters, codifies in detail the rules to investigate, prosecute and pass judgment on suspected criminal offenders. The legislation had been pending for seven years at the People’s Majlis.

More than 70 displaced by hardware store fire

Nasheed stripped of ex-president’s privileges

President Abdulla Yameen ratified today a bill that strips former President Mohamed Nasheed of state benefits, security, and privileges. The opposition leader is no longer entitled to security and protection from military bodyguards as well as medical insurance, a monthly pension, and funds to manage the former president’s office.

Massive fire breaks out in Malé

The fire broke out around 4:20pm at the two-storey Coastline store – located on the densely populated capital’s main thoroughfare Majeedhee Magu – and quickly spread to several next door buildings. It was brought under control by the military’s fire and rescue service nearly four hours later.

Eco-label suspended for Maldives yellowfin tuna

The suspension of the Marine Stewardship Council’s eco-label was based on by an assessment of yellowfin tuna stocks by the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission’s scientific committee, which “showed significant declines as a result of overfishing and relatively low reproduction levels.”

Government revokes extension of Nasheed’s medical leave

Commissioner of Prisons Mohamed Husham told the press this afternoon that the 30-day extension was revoked after Nasheed’s lawyers denied President Abdulla Yameen’s claim that the opposition leader is due to undergo surgery tomorrow.

Ex-defence minister, ex-MP ordered to return to Maldives in 48 hours

If the retired colonel fails to return in the next two days, the Maldives Correctional Services will “begin work to bring him back,” Superintendent of Prisons Ibrahim Mohamed Didi informed Nazim’s wife today. The prisons authority has also ordered former MP Ahmed Nazim to cut short his medical leave in Singapore and return to prison within 498 hours.

Five months after raid, police return some of Sangu TV equipment

The police have returned seven out of 33 pieces of broadcasting equipment confiscated from Sangu TV during a raid of the privately-owned station’s offices in Malé more than five months ago.

Prosecutors return charges against MP Mahloof

Citing insufficient evidence, the Prosecutor General’s office has declined to prosecute Independent MP Ahmed Mahloof on a charge of assaulting a police officer during an anti-government protest in Malé on March 11.

Top UN official arrives in Malé to resuscitate all-party talks

Tamrat Samuel, a senior advisor to the UN’s department of political affairs, is seeking to lay the groundwork “for substantive political party dialogue in the interest of attaining long-term political stability and rule of law in the Maldives.”

Second trial begins for Raajje TV journalists

The second trial against opposition aligned Raajje TV journalists began at the criminal court today, with reporters Mohamed Wisam and Adam Zareer pleading not guilty today to charges of obstructing police officers

Suspect arrested over gangster’s murder paid for contract killing

Chief Inspector Mohamed Riyaz said today that a forensic analysis has found that a photo of Razeen lying dead in a van was sent to the suspect’s phone on the night of the murder. On the following morning, the suspect arrested in Malé last week transferred money to the bank account of the man arrested for the murder in Sri Lanka.

Children of Haveeru founder launch counterclaim in ownership battle

The Haveeru Media Group, owned by Dr Zahir Hussain’s three children, are urging the civil court to protect their rights, claiming that Zahir had transferred the paper’s ownership to HMG before its former staff, Farooq Hassan, Ibrahim Rasheed Moosa and Mohamed Naeem sued Zahir in 2013.

Adeeb’s lawyer refused response on Supreme Court-ordered criminal inquiry

The Department of Judicial Administration has refused to answer a letter by detained Vice President Ahmed Adeeb’s lawyer asking for specifics of a Supreme Court ordered criminal inquiry against him.

PPM MP threatens friend of missing journalist

A friend of missing journalist Ahmed Rilwan has asked for police protection after receiving a threatening phone call from a member of parliament, in which he said: “I’ve found you now, you’ll know what happens next, you know what happened to your partner.”

March revenue falls 8.2% below forecasts

Maldives revenues fell 8.2 percent below forecasts in March because of non-payment of taxes and a drop in tourist arrivals, the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority has said.

Trial begins for Raajje TV journalists

State prosecutors claimed today that Mohamed Wisam and Leevaan Ali Naseer had attempted to block the arrest of a third journalist on November 2, during a bomb scare in the capital. If found guilty, they could be fined or imprisoned for a period up to four months.