Maldives News
Two arrested over young woman’s murder
Two men aged 28 years and 50 years were arrested Friday night over the suspected murder of a young woman in Malé.
09 Jan 2016, 09:00
Prosecutor General denies wrongdoing in dropping graft charges against ex-minister
Newly appointed Prosecutor General Aishath Bisham has denied allegations of conflict of interest in deciding not to prosecute a former presidential affairs minister for graft over last year’s poor Independence Day banquet.
07 Jan 2016, 09:00
Ibthihaal’s step grandfather on trial for incest
Ismail Rauf, who is accused of physically and sexually abusing his step daughter Afiya Mohamed and her three-year-old son Mohamed Ibthihaal, is now on trial for sexually abusing a child he had fathered.
07 Jan 2016, 09:00
Finance ministry prepares for administrative overhaul after strike
The ministry of finance and treasury is preparing for an administrative overhaul after President Abdulla Yameen reconstituted its functions in the aftermath of a strike by hundreds of civil servants who were protesting mass job cuts.
07 Jan 2016, 09:00
Home minister is the latest politician under fire in tourism scandal
An anonymous member of the public lodged a complaint with the ACC on Monday alleging that Naseer threatened Fisheries Minister Mohamed Shainee and his staff to obtain a lagoon in Malé atoll for his Whale Submarine company, which conducts underwater submarine tours.
07 Jan 2016, 09:00
Young woman found dead in Malé was murdered
“The inquiry has so far established that the death was not of natural causes. We suspect that Hawwa Zuha was murdered and her body was thrown on the street on Dhoohimerimagu in Galolhu ward,” the police said in a statement.
07 Jan 2016, 09:00
Ban on foreign cashiers ‘killing’ small businesses
More than 60 businesses across the country have been fined by MVR10,000 (US$648) over the past year for employing foreigners, local media report. Small business owners say they are unable to hire Maldivians as the job is poorly paid and seen as socially unacceptable.
06 Jan 2016, 09:00
Reporter detained for taking photo of Adeeb on his first visit to Malé
A reporter was briefly detained today for taking a picture of former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb as he left the capital under heavy police guard following his first visit to Malé since his detention in October.
06 Jan 2016, 09:00
National carrier dismisses rumours of special jet for president
The Maldives’ national carrier’s plans to buy a new jet to cater to VIP passengers has fuelled rumours that President Abdulla Yameen, who recently escaped a blast on his speedboat, is seeking a jet for his private use.
06 Jan 2016, 09:00
Yameen asks Thai PM to waive visas for Maldivians
In a meeting with General Prayut Chan-o-cha on Monday, Yameen expressed hope for a visa waiver agreement between the two countries to facilitate trade and economic relations.
05 Jan 2016, 09:00
Maldives MPs caught up in tourism scandal
Companies affiliated with ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives MPs Mohamed Musthafa, Hussain Manik Dhon Manik and Riyaz Rasheed, and main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party’s Ahmed ‘ADK’ Nashid were awarded islands without due process.
05 Jan 2016, 09:00
Maldives parliament to form joint committees with Saudi Arabia’s Shura Council
The Maldivian parliament and Saudi Arabia’s Shura Council have agreed to form “integrated joint committees” to work together on issues of mutual interest such as the threat of terrorism. The decision was revealed during an ongoing visit by Shura Council Speaker Dr Abdulla bin Mohamed bin Ibrahim Al-Sheikh.
05 Jan 2016, 09:00
High Court concludes hearings in ex-defence minister’s appeal
The High Court heard closing statements today in former Defence Minister Mohamed Nazim’s appeal of his 11-year jail sentence on a weapons smuggling charge. Presiding Judge Abdul Rauf Ibrahim said a verdict will be delivered at the final hearing. Lawyers will be duly notified of a date, he said.
05 Jan 2016, 09:00
Maldives sportswomen allege discrimination in selection for South Asian Games
Sportswomen have alleged discrimination in a government decision to reduce the number of sports teams competing at the upcoming South Asian games in India. Of the 96 athletes slated to compete in the games, only 27 will be women.
05 Jan 2016, 09:00
Two foreigners arrested on human trafficking charges
The pair are accused of illegally “recruiting” migrant workers to bring to the Maldives. They were apprehended yesterday from Addu City and Vilimalé in joint operations conducted by the immigration department and the police.
05 Jan 2016, 09:00
Ex-defence minister granted medical leave for heart surgery in Singapore
The Maldives Correctional Services this week approved a 15-day medical leave for the retired colonel to undergo a heart surgery in Singapore. A final hearing in the appeal of Nazim’s 11-year jail sentence on a weapons smuggling charge is meanwhile due to take place tomorrow.
04 Jan 2016, 09:00
Former Vice President, top tourism official face fresh corruption charges
The Prosecutor General’s office has meanwhile filed money laundering charges against Hamid Ismail – an influential businessman related to detained former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb – at the criminal court this morning. According to the police, acquisition fees paid to the government’s tourism promotion company for a resort lease were deposited into the accounts of a company linked to Hamid, instead of the state treasury.
04 Jan 2016, 09:00
Maldives heading towards safety and stability, says home minister
Citing a steady decline in the crime rate, Umar Naseer said that the Maldives is heading towards a “safer and more stable” future under the current administration. But critics say the police statistics are misleading as many Maldivians lack confidence in the police institution and do not report crimes.
04 Jan 2016, 09:00
“Miscommunication” delaying release of alleged Sri Lankan sniper
“Local investigators in Malé have repeatedly informed me that they were waiting for the all-clear from the authorities in Colombo on the detained Sri Lankan before moves could be made to release him but there appear to be certain shortcomings,” the suspect’s defence lawyer told Sri Lankan media.
04 Jan 2016, 09:00
To bolster rights at home, Maldives must speak up for human rights abroad
One of the best ways Maldives can support the global human rights movement is by voting to extend the UN mandate for a special rapporteur for Iran, writes Iranian journalist Roozbeh Mirebrahimi.
04 Jan 2016, 09:00
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