Maldives News
Talks are ‘an exercise in futility,’ MDP tells Commonwealth rep
Government-initiated all-party talks are an “exercise in futility” unless jailed political leaders are freed, the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party told a visiting Commonwealth representative today.
10 Apr 2016, 09:00
Heavy rainfall causes flooding at airport
Heavy rainfall over the weekend caused flooding at the Maldives’ main airport and sewer overflows in the capital Malé.
10 Apr 2016, 09:00
Government makes U-turn on affordable housing pledge
Some 300 families who were awarded flats by former President Mohamed Nasheed’s administration are being asked to pay MVR2million (US$129,701) for a flat, with the housing ministry announcing that it will prioritise families who can make the payment within five years.
10 Apr 2016, 09:00
Prosecutor, ex-criminal court registrar appointed as judges
The judicial watchdog has appointed a public prosecutor involved in the prosecution of high-profile politicians and a former court registrar to the criminal court.
10 Apr 2016, 09:00
US senate urges Maldives to redress “injustice” of Nasheed’s jailing
Expressing “profound disappointment” with the bipartisan resolution, which was passed unanimously on Thursday, the government has defended the opposition leader’s conviction on a terrorism charge and insisted that there are no political prisoners in the country.
09 Apr 2016, 09:00
Police defend blocking silent march for press freedom
The journalists were not allowed to march as closing down the capital’s main thoroughfare would have caused traffic jams and posed difficulties to pedestrians and businesses, the police said. The journalists accused the police of violating their right to freedom of assembly, which is guaranteed in the constitution “without prior permission of the state.”
09 Apr 2016, 09:00
Ex-President Nasheed ordered to return to prison
The government has refused to extend former President Mohamed Nasheed’s medical leave in the United Kingdom, and ordered him to return to the Maldives to serve the remainder of his 13 year jail sentence.
08 Apr 2016, 09:00
President Yameen to make official visit to India
President Abdulla Yameen is scheduled to make an official visit to India ahead of a crucial Commonwealth summit. He is due to call on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 10.
08 Apr 2016, 09:00
Maldives airport expansion to cost US$800m
President Abdulla Yameen unveiled Wednesday a US$800million plan to expand the Maldives’ main airport. The project, to be financed entirely by loans, was risky, but its returns would be transformational, he claimed.
08 Apr 2016, 09:00
Government denies ordering surveillance on ministers, lawyers
Two former attorneys general, a minister at the president’s office, and the former Islamic affairs minister have been under secret police surveillance for nearly a year on suspicion of plotting a coup d’état, a credible source has said.
07 Apr 2016, 09:00
Ex-MP flees Singapore after order to return to prison
Ahmed Nazim, a former MP with the ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives who was allowed to travel to Singapore on medical-leave from prison, has left the country and traveled to the United Kingdom, The Maldives Independent understands.
07 Apr 2016, 09:00
Three journalists facing trial on charges of obstructing police duty
The unprecedented prosecution of three journalists comes amidst a campaign launched by the Maldivian media against a government crackdown on press freedom in the country.
07 Apr 2016, 09:00
Arresting the fourth estate
It is perhaps not the best idea to jail a bunch of journalists. It means that those who hold the pen, the power to communicate, feel a rare sense of empathy towards the rarely seen, writes Xiena Saeed.
07 Apr 2016, 09:00
Businessman charged over MMPRC scandal seeks order to remove cameras in jail cell
Hamid’s lawyer Husnu Suood told The Maldives Independent that the four surveillance cameras in the cell and one in the cell toilet represents a “serious human rights violation.”
06 Apr 2016, 09:00
Majority leader seeks to assuage journalists’ concerns over defamation bill
Speaking to reporters after a meeting Tuesday afternoon with the Maldives Media Council, the parliamentary group leader of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives said the government is willing to address press freedom concerns raised by journalists and amend the proposed defamation and freedom of expression law.
06 Apr 2016, 09:00
Notorious gangster arrested over Rilwan’s abduction
The owner of a car suspected to have been used in the abduction of The Maldives Independent journalist Ahmed Rilwan was arrested Tuesday.
06 Apr 2016, 09:00
Maldives parliament strips ex-presidential benefits for opposition leader
Shortly after the amendments to withdraw privileges and state benefits were passed at today’s sitting of parliament, the opposition leader tweeted: “I have always believed that respect and privilege come from within the hearts of the people. It is not something that can be created or abolished by a law.”
06 Apr 2016, 09:00
Time stands still: Maldivians react to Haveeru closure
Maldivians reacted with despair as the country’s oldest newspaper remained closed for a third day amidst a bitter ownership battle. “Three days without Haveeru is like deleting three days from the calendar,” one reader said.
06 Apr 2016, 09:00
Judge in ‘coup plot’ pleads not guilty to terrorism charge
A judge detained over a “forged” warrant to arrest President Abdulla Yameen in connection with the Maldives’ biggest corruption scandal pleaded not guilty to a corruption charge at a hearing Tuesday. Ahmed Nihan, senior judge of the Maamigili magistrate court, also pleaded not guilty to charges of abuse of authority, official misconduct, and forgery.
06 Apr 2016, 09:00
Ex-president’s daughter quits government
Deputy Education Minister Yumna Maumoon, daughter of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, has resigned last week, local media reports. It is not clear why Yumna, who heads the department of national heritage, quit her uncle’s government.
05 Apr 2016, 09:00
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