Maldives News
Missing journalist’s family fears inquiry ‘may turn out like MP Afrasheem’s murder probe’
Noting that the Maldives police never established a motive or apprehended the masterminds behind the shocking murder of an MP, family members of missing journalist Ahmed Rilwan asked for help from watchdog bodies to ensure a comprehensive and independent inquiry.
19 Jan 2016, 09:00
Supporters jubilant as Nasheed leaves the Maldives
Opposition supporters are celebrating former President Mohamed Nasheed’s temporary release from prison with family members and lawyers live-tweeting photos of his departure from the Maldives.
18 Jan 2016, 09:00
Nasheed’s brother agrees to act as guarantor
Jailed former President Mohamed Nasheed’s older brother has agreed to act as a guarantor during the opposition leader’s 30-day stay in the United Kingdom after the government conceded to demands and waived criminal liability for the guarantor.
18 Jan 2016, 09:00
Prosecutors blame Sheikh Imran for May Day clashes
At today’s hearing of the Adhaalath Party leader’s terrorism trial, the state prosecutor said Imran was the leading figure of the May Day rally, but had done nothing to prevent the clashes, noting that the 2013 freedom of assembly law states that protest organisers must take responsibility if they fail to prevent violence.
18 Jan 2016, 09:00
Sri Lanka brokered deal for Nasheed’s release in jeopardy
Home Minister Umar Naseer, who had refused to meet UK Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Office Hugo Swire today, is now claiming Nasheed tore up state documents.
18 Jan 2016, 09:00
Independent MP on trial for ‘obstructing police duty’
Independent MP Ahmed Mahloof is facing trial on charges of obstructing police duty with a first hearing scheduled for February 11. The MP for Galolhu South was summoned to the criminal court this morning, informed of the the trial date, and asked to appoint a lawyer.
18 Jan 2016, 09:00
Testy tug-of-war continues over Nasheed’s foreign trip
The government today promised top diplomats that it would withdraw conditions for Nasheed’s UK trip, but the home minister remains adamant and has levelled a series of wild accusations at the former president, including a tweet claiming Nasheed had spat on a prisons staff. Lawyers have been barred from visits now.
18 Jan 2016, 09:00
Young woman found dead in Malé was strangled, reveals autopsy
A 23-year-old woman found dead in a narrow lane in Malé on January 7 was strangled to death, a postmortem examination conducted in India has revealed.
18 Jan 2016, 09:00
Maldives ‘demanded a hostage’ for ex-president’s travel to UK
President Abdulla Yameen has backtracked on an “unconditional promise” to allow jailed former President Mohamed Nasheed to travel to the United Kingdom for medical care, and is demanding that a family member remain in Malé until he returns from medical treatment.
17 Jan 2016, 09:00
Tourist arrivals reach 1.2m in 2015
Tourist arrivals grew by 2.4 percent in 2015, reaching a total of 1.2 million but falling short of the government’s target of 1.5 million visitors. Arrivals in December, the beginning of the Maldivian tourism industry’s peak season, also increased by 15 percent compared to the same period in 2014, according to statistics from the tourism ministry.
17 Jan 2016, 09:00
Sheikh Imran’s terrorism trial resumes with heated hearing
Adhaalath Party leader Sheikh Imran Abdulla’s speech at an anti-government demonstration in May constitutes terrorism, state prosecutors insisted today at a hearing that saw heated exchanges between the presiding judge and defence lawyers.
17 Jan 2016, 09:00
Infrastructure projects could ‘transform’ economy, but poses risks
A visiting IMF mission said today that the “unprecedented scale up in public infrastructure” – including the expansion of the international airport and construction of the Malé-Hulhulé bridge – could boost tourism capacity and prove transformation “if implemented successfully, together with supportive education and employment policies”. But substantial external borrowing could add to “already elevated public debt.”
17 Jan 2016, 09:00
Nasheed’s lawyers win US Congress support for Maldives sanctions
In her first-ever interview with a US television network, Mohamed Nasheed’s heavyweight human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, wife of actor George, said she had won support for the introduction of a congressional resolution calling for sanctions against members of the Maldives’ current regime until they free her client.
17 Jan 2016, 09:00
India, Sri Lanka ‘lobbying’ Maldives for ex-president’s release
Lobbying by Maldives’ neighbours India and Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in President Abdulla Yameen’s sudden change of heart in authorising jailed former President Mohamed Nasheed’s travel to the UK for medical treatment, according to media reports.
17 Jan 2016, 09:00
UK minister of state meets President Yameen
Swire’s visit follows the government’s sudden change of heart in authorising jailed former President Mohamed Nasheed’s travel to the UK for medical treatment. Indian and Sri Lankan media reported today that lobbying efforts by the Maldives’ neighbours were responsible for the government’s u-turn.
17 Jan 2016, 09:00
Violence against women has become our culture
The conversation around the death of a Thinadhoo woman from marital rape injuries focused on her “silence,” her action or inaction. But it was in fact duty bearers and the community who were silent, argues Humaidha Abdul Ghafoor.
17 Jan 2016, 09:00
Nasheed to travel to UK for surgery
Jailed former President Mohamed Nasheed has been granted leave to travel to the United Kingdom for a surgery on his spine, the ministry of foreign affairs has announced in a tweet.
16 Jan 2016, 09:00
Gasim’s Villa wins back all five resort properties seized during crisis
Jumhooree Party Leader Gasim Ibrahim’s Villa Company has won back all five properties seized by the government during a political crisis triggered by the JP’s split from the ruling coalition.
14 Jan 2016, 09:00
Senior statesman quits opposition
Zaki was as a special envoy of former President Mohamed Nasheed under the three-year MDP government. He also held various cabinet portfolios during the 30-year reign of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, including the tourism ministry and the planning and development ministry.
14 Jan 2016, 09:00
Resettlement of Gaadhoo islanders underway
Resettlement of Laamu atoll Gaadhoo islanders to Fonadhoo of the same atoll has begun on Monday, with 38 families having moved completely.
14 Jan 2016, 09:00
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