Maldives News
Maldives democracy on ‘negative trajectory,’ warns top US diplomat
Assistant Secretary of State Nisha Biswal said the Maldives has seen “a steady weakening of its fragile democracy and an erosion of the rule of law” with the imprisonment of opposition leaders, who “remain behind bars simply because they gave voice to their views, and because the government’s skin is too thin to brook any criticism or competition.”
31 Mar 2016, 09:00
Court halts publication of Haveeru newspaper
The civil court has issued an order halting the publication of local daily Haveeru pending the outcome of a dispute over the ownership of the Maldives’ oldest newspaper. However, Haveeru Online version will continue to publish as the injunction only applies to the newspaper.
31 Mar 2016, 09:00
Opposition women handed suspended sentences over airport protest
The 13 women and one man were sentenced to three months in jail, suspended for three years, on a charge of disobeying orders by protesting at a restricted zone.
31 Mar 2016, 09:00
HRCM launches inquiry into Malé jail altercation
Several inmates and prison guards at the Malé jail sustained injuries Sunday night after “a random cell check” escalated into a violent confrontation. “The inmates aggressively pushed and shoved prison guards who attempted to conduct the check,” said the Maldives Correctional Services’ spokesperson.
30 Mar 2016, 09:00
Anti-corruption TV drama angers customs, health ministry
A corruption-themed television drama produced by the Anti-Corruption Commission has stirred controversy with the Maldives Customs Service and a government-run hospital complaining of negative portrayals.
30 Mar 2016, 09:00
PPM wants to strip Nasheed of ex-presidential privileges
Opposition MPs have slammed a bill that proposes stripping privileges for former presidents convicted of criminal offences as the latest attack on dissent by the ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives.
30 Mar 2016, 09:00
Minister dispatched to Pakistan as Yameen’s special envoy
Azima Shukoor’s visit comes amidst a lobbying effort by the government to avoid action by the Commonwealth over widely condemned human rights abuses, including the imprisonment of former President Mohamed Nasheed and other opposition leaders.
30 Mar 2016, 09:00
Trials begin for boat blast suspects
Former Colonel Ahmed Fayaz ‘Papa,’ who is accused of ordering two explosives experts to remove evidence from the Finifenma speedboat immediately after the mysterious explosion, told the court today that he was following orders from Chief of Defence Forces Major General Ahmed Shiyam.
30 Mar 2016, 09:00
Police make headway in three murder probes, promise details in Rilwan’s disappearance
The police have identified suspects in three suspicious deaths, and pledged to provide details in the mysterious disappearance of journalist Ahmed Rilwan on Saturday.
30 Mar 2016, 09:00
Maldives seeks ally in Malaysia to avoid ‘unfair punishment’ from Commonwealth
The Malaysian government is also considering selling refined oil products to the Maldives from the state-owned Petronas company and extending on-arrival visas for Maldivians to 90 days. President Yameen and First Lady Fathmath Ibrahim concluded their maiden official visit to Malaysia today.
29 Mar 2016, 09:00
Man arrested after assaulting wife with stone
A 59-year-old man has been arrested on the island of Kurendhoo in Lhaviyani atoll for allegedly assaulting his wife with a stone. The suspect struck the victim on the head and knocked her unconscious on Monday morning, the police spokesperson said.
29 Mar 2016, 09:00
Human rights watchdog defends restrictions imposed by Supreme Court
An 11-point guideline imposed by the Supreme Court on the state human rights watchdog has not hampered its functioning, Shifaq Mufeed, vice president of the Human Rights Commission of Maldives, told the press yesterday.
28 Mar 2016, 09:00
Tourist arrivals remain unchanged in February
Tourist arrivals to the Maldives remained unchanged in February with 120,639 arrivals, just a 0.1percent increase compared to the same period last year.
28 Mar 2016, 09:00
45 islands out of water amidst record heat
Some 45 islands have reported a water shortage amidst record breaking warm weather. The meteorology department said the Maldives is experiencing its hottest dry season in 18 years.
28 Mar 2016, 09:00
Journalists rally against defamation bill
Maldivian journalists have urged the government to reconsider a bill criminalising defamation, expressing grave concern over proposed restrictions on freedom of expression and speech.
28 Mar 2016, 09:00
Maldivians arrested in Sri Lanka linked to international drug network
According to Sri Lankan media, a Maldivian couple was arrested on Saturday outside the Katunayaka airport with 3kg of heroin in their luggage. After interrogating the couple, Sri Lankan police arrested two other Maldivians and three Sri Lankans, including the alleged Sri Lankan ringleader.
28 Mar 2016, 09:00
Maldives government abuses anti-terror law to silence public officials
The government of President Abdulla Yameen of the Maldives continues to abuse an overbroad anti-terror law as a blunt-force tool to arbitrarily and indiscriminately silence perceived political threats to his regime, writes the ICJ’s Nikhil Narayan
28 Mar 2016, 09:00
Opposition MPs withdraw no-confidence motion against speaker
Opposition MPs have withdrawn a no-confidence motion submitted against Speaker Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed, two days before the motion was up for debate at the People’s Majlis.
27 Mar 2016, 09:00
Three suspects hand themselves over to police for ‘MoniCon’ tagging
Three suspected gang members wanted by the police to enforce monitoring and control orders granted by the High Court voluntarily handed themselves over last night. Upon request by the police and the home ministry, the High Court issued the first ‘MoniCon’ orders last week to electronically tag 11 gang members under the controversial 2015 Anti-Terrorism Act.
27 Mar 2016, 09:00
President Yameen departs on official visit to Malaysia
President Abdulla Yameen and First Lady Fathmath Ibrahim departed this afternoon on an official visit to Malaysia in the first couple’s first official overseas trip since the September 28 blast on the presidential speedboat.
27 Mar 2016, 09:00
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