Maldives News

Maldives brands ITB Berlin a success

Despite questions over safety for tourists, the Maldives-sponsored international tourism and trade fair ITB Berlin was a major success, Tourism Minister Moosa Zameer has said.

Two Maldivians arrested in Sri Lanka over sex-tape blackmail

The suspected racketeers were arrested yesterday from a hotel in Dehiwala, Colombo with two laptops containing nude video clips of more than 100 people, including five politicians. The alleged racketeers reportedly amassed more than MVR6 million from the blackmailing scam during the past two years.

Local market assault victim in critical condition

MDP condemns arrest of MP Mahloof from anti-corruption protest

The Maldivian Democratic Party has strongly condemned the police’s “unconstitutional” obstruction of Friday’s protest as well as the heavy use of pepper spray against protesters and a Raajje TV journalist and the arrest of MP Ahmed Mahloof.

Media regulator shares press freedom concerns with Chief Justice

The Maldives Broadcasting Commission said in a statement that its president, Mohamed Shaheeb, discussed “seeking a solution to the tension between the media and the judiciary” after the criminal court barred several outlets from observing trials.

Surprise terror trial for ex-chief prosecutor

The criminal court summoned detained former Prosecutor General Muhthaz Muhsin to an unannounced hearing today and granted him seven days to hire a lawyer to answer a terror charge.

American PR firm complained over delayed payment in email to Maldives president

Leaked emails show the Maldivian public was billed a total of US$221,826 for three months of work in 2012 by PR firm Ruder Finn. The lobbyists later sent an email to then-president Waheed complaining over a seven-month delay in receiving payment, The Maldives Independent can reveal.

Ex-defence minister’s appeal: Court set to deliver verdict next week

Six police officers involved in arms raid on Mohamed Nazim’s home provided anonymous testimony today. Judges said they will deliver a verdict on March 15.

Police recover money stolen from Addu City murder victim

The police have arrested three suspects in the murder of a 47-year-old businessman in Addu City and recovered cash stolen from the victim’s general store.

Family of Afrasheem murder convict plea for help over reports of self injury

The family of a man on death row, convicted of killing a parliamentarian, has called on the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives to inquire into reports of self-injury.

An attempted assassination, a jinni and the Maldives army

A Jinni led the army’s investigations into the alleged explosion on the presidential yacht, Finifenmaa, in September 2015, says a police statement leaked sometime in the morning of 2 March 2016, an extraordinary day in the life of Maldives.

Maldives parliament admits guilt over corruption

The parliament descended into fresh chaos today with lawmakers from warring sides accusing one another of corruption, and a ruling party MP admitting that he handed over “sacks of money” as bribes to opposition MPs.

Defence minister, army chief in Saudi Arabia to observe military drill

The ‘Thunder of the North’ is the first military exercise by the Saudi-led Islamic military alliance formed in December to combat terrorist organisations. The Maldives is among some 34 nations that joined the coalition.

At ITB, minister lambastes ‘political campaign to tarnish Maldives’ image’

“Scare stories of religious extremists threatening tourists have been spread by people who have vested interest – not to highlight an impending problem, but solely to gain headlines,” Moosa Zameer said in a statement issued at the opening of the ITB Berlin travel and trade show.

Government accused of using radical preachers ‘to justify injustice’

A sermon by a Saudi preacher in which he claimed it is un-Islamic to disobey rulers even if they are unjust and corrupt has stirred controversy, with the opposition accusing the government of using “fundamentalist preachers to stifle democracy.”

Europe bank offers Maldives €45 million loan for sustainable energy project

The government has obtained a €45 million loan from the European Investment Bank to finance renewable energy projects and upgrade electricity networks in the atolls.

EX chief prosecutor faces fresh terror charges on ‘conspiracy to kidnap president’

Former Prosecutor General Muhthaz Muhsin and Judge Ahmed Nihan are facing fresh charges of terrorism for allegedly “attempting to take President [Abdulla] Yameen hostage.”

Adeeb transferred from high-security prison to police custody

Former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb was abruptly transferred from Maafushi prison to the police detention centre on the island of Dhoonidhoo last night. “We were not notified of the transfer or given a reason why he was being transferred,” said Adeeb’s lawyer Moosa Siraj.

Family of Afrasheem murder convict call for inquiry against judge

Hussain Humam Ahmed, 22 years, may become the first Maldivian to be executed by the state in some 60 years if the Supreme Court finds him guilty of murdering MP Dr Afrasheem Ali. His family is urging the judicial watchdog to investigate judges for alleged due process violations.

Opposition MPs submit no-confidence motion against speaker

Opposition MPs accuse Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed of breaching the constitution and the parliamentary rules of procedure in order to rubber stamp government proposals. Shortly after the news of the no-confidence motion broke, Majority Leader Ahmed Nihan dismissed the possibility of removing Maseeh from the post as the ruling coalition controls 52 seats in the 85-member house.