Maldives News
Maldives falls in freedom ratings
The arrest and detention of hundreds of opposition supporters as well as treason charges against the national human rights watchdog in 2015 has resulted in a decline in Maldives’ freedom ratings.
27 Feb 2016, 09:00
Government seeks new fatwa council as opposition from religious scholars grows
The government is seeking to establish a supreme council on Islamic affairs to “to ensure religious unity, create awareness on religious issues, conduct scholars’ forums, and issue fatwas on religious disputes.”
27 Feb 2016, 09:00
“Who checks if the money they receive is legitimate?” – Translation of President Yameen’s Feb 24 speech
President Abdulla Yameen attempted to shrug off responsibility for the Maldives’ biggest ever corruption scandal, by claiming he was not aware “charity” to MPs and ruling party officials came from embezzled millions.
27 Feb 2016, 09:00
Maldives’ pay out to GMR to include US$170million bank debt
The Maldives’ pay out to Indian infrastructure giant GMR is set to increase by hundreds of millions of dollars after a tribunal ruled Tuesday that the claim should include the company’s debt to a Singaporean bank.
25 Feb 2016, 09:00
President claims he was “not aware” cash handouts to ruling party officials came from stolen millions
Yameen claims he had thought cash hands to MPs, ruling party officials and for party activities came from gifts from friendly businesses. “The receiver, whether be President, or an MP, they are unaware that the money has been obtained via MMPRC, or illegally from the state treasury.”
25 Feb 2016, 09:00
Major reshuffle in police force again
In the latest re-shuffle of the police force, the head of police’s crime investigation department was replaced this month with Abdulla Nawaz, the assistant police chief who also sits on a commission investigating a blast on President Abdulla Yameen’s boat.
25 Feb 2016, 09:00
Home Minister claims Adeeb planned to set off bomb on May Day
Detained former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb had planned to set off a bomb during a historic anti-government protest on May Day last year, Home Minister Umar Naseer has alleged.
25 Feb 2016, 09:00
President’s bank details shared with anti-graft watchdog
The Maldives Islamic Bank has released details of President Abdulla Yameen’s bank account details in an ongoing inquiry into allegations of embezzlement from state coffers.
24 Feb 2016, 09:00
Opposition MP fined for ‘obstructing police’
The criminal court fined opposition MP Ali Azim today on a charge of obstructing police officers during a protest over the arrest of former President Mohamed Nasheed a year ago.
24 Feb 2016, 09:00
Majority leader spits at female opposition MP
Majority leader Ahmed Nihan spat at a female opposition MP over allegations of corruption prompting screaming matches, issuing of threats and fistfights between MPs today.
24 Feb 2016, 09:00
Scrutiny and support: Commonwealth lays out Maldives demands
The Commonwealth pledged today to continue scrutiny over and support for the Maldives, issuing a list of demands for President Abdulla Yameen, including freedom for jailed politicians and dialogue to stem a crisis exacerbated by a continuing crackdown on dissent and allegations of corruption.
24 Feb 2016, 09:00
Ministers ‘lied’ on all-party talks to prevent Commonwealth action, says opposition
The opposition has denounced claims by the government that it had waived a condition for the release of jailed leaders and agreed to sit down for all-party talks, branding the move an attempt to fool the Commonwealth ahead of a crucial review of rights abuses today.
24 Feb 2016, 09:00
Top judge suspended
The JSC has suspended the chief judge of the family court after he criticised the appointment of two controversial judges to the appellate high court. He had reportedly called them “the most corrupt judges in the world.”
23 Feb 2016, 09:00
UN stresses importance of building trust ahead of all-party talks
Stressing the importance of building trust between Maldives political actors, the United Nations says it is willing to facilitate Maldives’ all-party talks “depending on the developments on the ground and the willingness of the parties.”
23 Feb 2016, 09:00
Ex Auditor General weighs in on Maldives’ biggest corruption scandal
Full transcript of former Auditor General Niyaz’s interview detailing the extent of complicity by state officials, including President Yameen and MPs, in the embezzlement of hundreds of millions of dollars from state coffers.
23 Feb 2016, 09:00
Nasheed’s application for UK trip extension ‘incomplete’
The Maldives Correctional Service says it needs additional documents to extend former President Mohamed Nasheed’s 30-day leave from prison.
22 Feb 2016, 09:00
Ex-minister escapes graft charges, watchdog refuses to disclose details
The ACC has decided to close an inquiry against former cabinet minister Mohamed Hussain Shareef, citing lack of evidence and “reasons that cannot be disclosed to the press.”
22 Feb 2016, 09:00
Two state employees arrested over Thinadhoo powerhouse fire
Two employees of the state-owned utility company were arrested Sunday over a fire that destroyed a southern island’s powerhouse and left thousands without electricity and water for days.
22 Feb 2016, 09:00
Government wants to keep list of terror organisations secret
The ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives is seeking to remove provisions in the new anti-terror act requiring the president to make public a list of organisations linked to terrorism.
22 Feb 2016, 09:00
Claims of Nasheed’s silhouette on new passport ‘an affront’
The department of immigration has denied that a silhouetted illustration of a man in Maldives’ new passport was a depiction of former President Mohamed Nasheed.
22 Feb 2016, 09:00
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