Maldives News


Judge pleads not guilty to forgery, misconduct charges
A judge detained over a “fake” warrant to arrest President Abdulla Yameen in connection with the Maldives’ biggest corruption scandal has pleaded not guilty to charges of forgery, misconduct, and abuse of authority.
08 Mar 2016, 09:00


Police dismiss reports of ‘cannibalism drug’
The police have dismissed speculation linking two recent assaults by biting to the use of a synthetic drug commonly known as bath salts. In a statement yesterday, the police sought to assuage public fears following widely circulated messages suggesting the assailants were under the influence of the pyschoactive drug, also known as cloud nine.
08 Mar 2016, 09:00


Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step it up for Gender Equality
With the next local council elections scheduled for early 2017, we must ask ourselves: how can we ‘Step it up for Gender Equality’ in Maldives? What policy actions, legislations and initiatives should we undertake to encourage more females to come out to contest and get their voices heard?
08 Mar 2016, 09:00


Adeeb’s terror trial postponed after key witness fails to show up
The criminal court cancelled Sunday a hearing scheduled to hear evidence against former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb, who is accused of terrorism on a charge of carrying a pistol.
07 Mar 2016, 09:00


MDP rejects government offer to discuss Nasheed’s terror conviction
The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party has rejected an “exclusive meeting” proposed by the government “to explore avenues for the state for a leniency” on former President Mohamed Nasheed’s terror conviction.
07 Mar 2016, 09:00


Supreme Court wraps up Nasheed’s terror appeal
The Supreme Court has concluded hearing the state’s appeal of a terror conviction against former President Mohamed Nasheed’s terror conviction. A verdict is expected at a next hearing, but a date has not been set yet.
07 Mar 2016, 09:00


Boy found unconscious on Addu street
A 15-year-old boy was found unconscious on an Addu City street with head injuries on Sunday night, the police have said.
07 Mar 2016, 09:00


How much is your MP worth?
The Haamakurey or “Make it Public” campaign appears to be gaining traction with eight of the 85-member parliament releasing financial disclosure forms. The campaign has exposed serious loopholes in current practices, but has also triggered a backlash from MPs of both the ruling and opposition parties.
07 Mar 2016, 09:00


Court holds hearing on Nasheed’s terror conviction as talks remain at a stalemate
The Supreme Court held today a second hearing into an appeal filed by the state over former President Mohamed Nasheed’s terrorism conviction. Today’s hearing, just the second since the appeal was filed nearly five months ago, comes in the wake of the opposition boycotting government-initiated all-party talks.
06 Mar 2016, 09:00


Former prosecutor general faces charges of forgery, unlawful arrest
Former Prosecutor General Muhthaz Muhsin was taken into police custody for a second time today after an appellate court overruled his release from remand. The prosecutor general’s office is now seeking charges of forgery and planning an unlawful arrest against him.
06 Mar 2016, 09:00


Raajje TV latest to be banned from criminal court
The criminal court has banned opposition-aligned Raajje TV from observing trials, even excluding the popular station’s reporters from a hearing on an arson attack that destroyed its head offices down in 2013.
06 Mar 2016, 09:00


Third resort robbery prompts concern
A third robbery reported on a luxury resort has sparked concern with the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party accusing the government of failing to ensure safety and security for tourists.
06 Mar 2016, 09:00


Ex prosecutor general, arrested over coup plot, released from remand
Muhthaz Muhsin, the former prosecutor general arrested over an arrest warrant for President Abdulla Yameen, was released from remand custody on Friday.
05 Mar 2016, 09:00


Government to seek international assistance over stalled talks
The Maldivian government will seek international assistance to bring the opposition to the negotiating table, Fisheries Minister Dr Mohamed Shainee announced today, after cancelling a second-meeting of all-party talks.
03 Mar 2016, 09:00


Malé City runs out of burial space
The Maldives’ congested capital Malé has run out of burial space. The government has now announced plans to bury the dead at a new cemetery on an artificial island nearby.
03 Mar 2016, 09:00


Supreme Court accuses Amnesty of Islamophobia, hate crimes
The Maldives’ Supreme Court has hit back furiously at criticisms by Amnesty International, accusing the world-renowned human rights group of Islamophobia, political bias, and hate crimes against the Maldivian people.
03 Mar 2016, 09:00


Maldives begins all-party talks without the opposition
Efforts to launch talks aimed at ending the Maldives’ political crisis got off to a bizzare start tonight with representatives of President Abdulla Yameen and the ruling coalition sitting down for a first meeting without the opposition.
03 Mar 2016, 09:00


Judge to boycott judicial watchdog meetings
A member of the watchdog Judicial Services Commission has said he would no longer attend meetings because of concerns over its independence.
03 Mar 2016, 09:00


Maldives introduces mobile number portability
Mobile phone users in the Maldives can now switch mobile phone supplier, but retain their existing numbers, the Communication Authority of Maldives has announced.
03 Mar 2016, 09:00


Court warns of action after judge gets ridiculed over photo ban
The criminal court has warned of action “to end extreme attacks on people’s good name, honour and dignity” after its chief judge was criticised over a decision to bar journalists from hearings.
03 Mar 2016, 09:00

