Maldives News

Elections Commission fines MDP, Adhaalath over Nov 27 protest

“They were fined because they had involved children in their protest and also for using the UN emblem against the regulations,” Elections Commissioner Ahmed Akram told The Maldives Independent today.

Maldives joins Saudi-led anti-terrorism military alliance

Announcing the new coalition at a press conference last night, Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman, also the kingdom’s defence minister, said the campaign would “coordinate” efforts to fight terrorism in Iraq, Syria, Libya, Egypt, and Afghanistan. “Every country will be participating according to its capabilities and we will not only fight [the Islamic State], but any terrorist group,” he said.

Government’s seizure of Villa’s resort properties unlawful, civil court rules

Shortly after Gasim’s Jumhooree Party formed an alliance with the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party in February and launched an anti-government campaign, the tourism ministry terminated the lease agreements of two lagoons and three islands leased to Villa and subsidiary companies for resort development.

Supreme Court to consider UN ruling on Nasheed’s imprisonment

“The government has maintained the position that the opinion of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention is one that should be considered by the Supreme Court. This will now be done given that the Court has accepted the appeal already filed by the Prosecutor General, with substantive arguments to be heard at a later date,” the foreign ministry said today.

MDP accuses Elections Commission of double standards

The EC had threatened to take action against the main opposition party over the use of the UN logo in the November 27 protest. The MDP had printed the blue emblem on t-shirts and banners urging President Abdulla Yameen to release former President Mohamed Nasheed as recommended by a UN human rights panel in September.

Jailed ex-MP in Singapore for medical treatment

Nazim was unable to leave as scheduled last Sunday despite permission from the Maldives Correctional Services. The department of immigration had seized his passport on orders from Supreme Court in early February this year.

Discipline trumps democracy, says Yameen

Maldivians have failed to achieve the same level of development as Singapore due to a lack of good behaviour and discipline, President Abdulla Yameen said this morning.

President vetoes bill banning calls for sanctions, tourism boycotts

President Abdulla Yameen has vetoed a law banning calls for tourism boycott and sanctions against the Maldives, saying the bill infringes on the right to free speech.

Deputy minister accused of embezzling millions from pension fund

Deputy Home Minister Ahmed Adeem is under investigation by the police over the alleged embezzlement of MVR2 million (US$129,700) from the state’s pension fund. The embezzlement was discovered during an internal audit. Adeem had worked at the Maldives Pension Administration Office from 2010 to 2014.

Nasheed to appeal sentence at Supreme Court

Nasheed’s lawyers told the press today that the former president has always called for a “political solution” to his jailing, but President Abdulla Yameen has repeatedly insisted that Nasheed must exhaust the appeal process to be eligible for a pardon.

Yameen slams Western “double standards” against Maldives

I fear for myself and the future of Maldives: former vice president

“In truth, President Yameen and I have been the victims of a despicable conspiracy, launched, I believe, by my political foes in and outside the Cabinet. I believe the speedboat incident was staged, in order to frame me,” writes former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb from prison.

Colonel detained over boat blast challenges administrative detention

Colonel Ahmed ‘Papa’ Fayaz’s lawyer has challenged his administrative detention at the military barracks, seeking an order declaring the senior officer’s continuing detention arbitrary and illegal.

Pro-democracy NGO warns of Maldives backsliding into repression

“The past seven years have seen the Maldives leap forward and just as quickly regress heavily in the rights arena,” the MDN said in a statement released today on the occasion of International Human Rights Day. “The rights to association, assembly, expression and life can no longer be assured for the people living in the Maldives and this is unacceptable for human rights defenders.”

Maldives’ reputation ‘tarnished by human rights violations’

The current administration’s breach of international human rights conventions has tarnished the country’s reputation, says the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party, as the government insists “the Maldives has made extraordinary progress in guaranteeing human rights.”

Calls grow for “extraordinary measures to tackle grand corruption”

“Corruption continues to undermine development by promoting wastage, has eroded public confidence in key institutions and victimise vulnerable communities in Maldivian society,” Transparency Maldives has said.

Government reneges on promise for new hospital in Addu

The government has backtracked on a pledge to build a new hospital in southern Addu City, promising to improve services at the existing Hithadhoo Regional Hospital instead.

Supreme Courts orders police investigation against ex-vice president’s lawyer

A police spokesperson confirmed that Hussain Shameem is under investigation, but declined to reveal the nature of the charges against the former deputy prosecutor general. The Department of Judicial Administration, which functions under the direct supervision of the Supreme Court, also refused to provide details.

Yameen lauds India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy

“All SAARC Member States must work collectively together to deliver human security for our people, and ensure that terrorist organisations have no room to spread their venom in the region,” Yameen said.

Ruins of ancient mosque dug up on southern island

A limestone wall with stonework has been found within the boundaries of the abandoned Friday mosque on southern Thinadhoo Island.