Maldives News

Maldives signs historic climate change agreement

The Maldives signed the historic Paris climate change agreement on Friday, urging big polluters to commit to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Suspects in Rilwan’s abduction transferred to house arrest

Two suspects arrested earlier this month in connection with the abduction of The Maldives Independent journalist Ahmed Rilwan was transferred to house arrest on Friday.

Politics of radicalisation: how the Maldives is failing to stem violent extremism

Azim Zahir explores the array of factors that fuel radicalisation in the Maldives; “block thinking” that does not bother to understand complexities; government’s trivialising of the issue; instrumentalisation of religion by all political parties; and the “Islamisation” of gangs.

PPM accuses Indian newspaper of defaming Gayoom

Reacting angrily to an article on the Mumbai Mirror about a radicalised Maldivian family of 12 joining Islamic State, the PPM said it contained “factual inaccuracies and fabrications,” and called it “an attack on the country of Maldives, its peace-loving citizens, and its authorities.”

Two Maldivians arrested in Sri Lanka with 1kg of heroin

According to Sri Lankan media, the pair, aged-28 and 30, respectively, were arrested from a hotel in Colombo’s Bambalapitiya district in the late night hours of April 22.

Leaked audio implicates acting prisons chief in bribery

A private TV channel has leaked an audio clip of a phone conversation between Deputy Commissioner of Prisons and an unidentified man, discussing the unlawful release of an inmate and the solicitation of a bribe.

“No sympathy for people like us:” Milestones in the life of a Maldivian death row prisoner

Hussain Humam Ahmed, 22 years, is on death row for the murder of MP Afrasheem Ali. His family fears he was framed and judged guilty because of his background of poverty and violence.

Maldives and the Commonwealth’s formal agenda: both sides claim victory

Ministers here have said the CMAG had not placed the Maldives on its formal agenda, while critics argued that continued scrutiny means the Maldives is effectively on the 53-member inter-governmental body’s watch.

Crew of sinking cargo boat rescued at sea

The coastguard rescued four crew members Friday afternoon from a cargo boat that sank en route from Malé to the southern island of Feeali in Faafu atoll.

US Senators urge Kerry to “consider all options” on Maldives

“We would urge the administration to consider all of the options at its disposal, which might be effective in influencing the government’s behavior,” Senators McCain and Reed said. “Together, we want to encourage the Maldives to take steps to restore confidence in its democratic path and judicial independence.”

Ex-defence minister transferred to house imprisonment upon arrival in Malé

Former Defence Minister Mohamed Nazim was taken into custody upon his arrival in Malé on Thursday, and immediately transferred to house imprisonment for a period of 30 days.

Court order sought to prevent Haveeru staff from registering new paper

The battle for the Maldives’ oldest newspaper, Haveeru Daily, took a new twist on Thursday, with the paper’s new shareholders requesting a stay order to prevent its founder and staff from registering or operating a new paper.

Majlis approves use of pension fund to buy homes

The People’s Majlis voted unanimously Tuesday to amend the Pension Act to allow members of the Maldives Retirement Pension Scheme to collateralise their savings to make down-payments under state-run home ownership or social housing programmes.

Commissioner of Prisons suspended

The home ministry has suspended Commissioner of Prisons Mohamed Husham pending the outcome of an investigation on unspecified charges. Contrary to media reports, Home Minister Umar Naseer said last night that Husham has not been fired. He has been asked to stay home, Naseer said.

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.