Maldives News
Ministers questioned over tourism corruption scandal
The anti-corruption watchdog has questioned Attorney General Mohamed Anil and Fisheries Minister Mohamed Shainee over missing funds from several islands leased for resort development by the government-owned Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation.
20 Jan 2016, 09:00
Fires in Malé causes millions in damages
A fire that engulfed an electronic shop in Male’s Maafannu ward this morning spread to a warehouse next door, destroying goods worth millions of rufiyaa.
20 Jan 2016, 09:00
India to donate military aircraft, new helicopter to Maldives
India has promised the Maldivian military a fixed-wing aircraft and a second helicopter, according to Defence Minister Adam Shareef, who is currently in New Delhi on an official visit.
20 Jan 2016, 09:00
Participants of PPM rally will be subject to security checks
The rally will be the first official PPM event since April 2014 with President Abdulla Yameen and party leader former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom in attendance. In the wake of the September 28 blast on his speedboat, which the government says was an assassination attempt, Yameen’s rare public appearances have taken place with heightened security by both the military and the police.
20 Jan 2016, 09:00
Adeeb pleads not guilty to corruption charges
Former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb pleaded not guilty today at the second hearing of his trial on charges of abuse of authority over millions missing from resort lease payments.
20 Jan 2016, 09:00
Minister under fire over Facebook post wishing that ex-president’s plane crash lands
A Facebook post by a deputy minister wishing that former President Mohamed Nasheed’s plane out of Malé last night would land in the middle of the ocean has sparked outrage. Opposition supporters are now lodging complaints at the telecoms company Dhiraagu which is chaired by the deputy minister.
19 Jan 2016, 09:00
Majority leader hospitalised with a lung infection
Majority leader Ahmed Nihan has been admitted today at the Intensive Care Unit because of a worsening lung infection. His family is hoping to fly him to India for further treatment tomorrow.
19 Jan 2016, 09:00
Adeeb’s military bodyguard arrested in boat blast probe
The police have arrested former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb’s military bodyguard on suspicion of involvement in the September 28 blast on President Abdulla Yameen’s speedboat.
19 Jan 2016, 09:00
‘A step in the right direction’: John Kerry welcomes Nasheed’s release
US Secretary of State John Kerry has welcomed the Maldivian government’s decision to authorise jailed former President Mohamed Nasheed to seek medical treatment in the UK.
19 Jan 2016, 09:00
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
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