Maldives News

Maldives bans street protests

Home Minister Umar Naseer’s ban on street protests has sparked an outcry with human rights advocates saying the restriction is unconstitutional.

Maldives singled out for scrutiny at Commonwealth summit

The Prime Ministers of UK and Malta highlighted a need for action against the Maldives, but the three-day heads of government summit ended without a public announcement. The government’s promise for reform has stalled CMAG action, sources said.

Tear gas fired to disperse defiant protesters – as it happened

Police have fired tear gas and used pepper spray against opposition protesters as they took to the streets for a second time today, defying a government order to confine protests to the Artificial Beach grounds in Malé.

Police crackdown on opposition protest – as it happened

Hundreds of opposition supporters have gathered at the Artificial Beach in Malé urging President Abdulla Yameen to release all political prisoners.

Yameen weighs in on civil liberties, terrorism and foreign influence

President Abdulla Yameen has decried what he suggested was double standards by the international community in the handling of emergencies declared earlier this month in the Maldives and France. His rare 90-minute speech weighed in on terrorism, slammed foreign interference and touched on how the Maldives can attract foreign investment.

Nasheed’s lawyers ask UK for targeted sanctions

Former President Mohamed Nasheed’s lawyers have submitted to the UK government a list of potential targets for sanctions, prompting a ruling party MP to claim the opposition leader’s supporters will be banned from Saudi Arabia and China.

Suspicion cast on ex vice president over journalist’s disappearance

The home minister said Adeeb is being questioned over Rilwan’s disappearance. But the former vice president’s lawyers have denied the claim.

Ex-defence minister’s appeal postponed

A third hearing in Nazim’s appeal was scheduled for this morning after a five month hiatus, but it was called off because his lawyer is out of town.

Police warns MDP to end protest by midnight

The police have warned opposition supporters to confine tomorrow’s mass protest to the Artificial Beach grounds in Malé, and threatened to disperse protesters at midnight on Friday.

Maldives’ doctors tackle treating gender violence

Addu City suffers worst floods in 40 years

Southern Addu City has suffered the worst storm damage in 40 years after 12 continuous hours of torrential rain left streets inundated and flooded some 200 households.

Supreme Court to review Nasheed’s terrorism sentence

The Supreme Court has accepted the state’s appeal of former President Mohamed Nasheed’s terrorism conviction following a procedural hearing today.

Terrorism charges filed against ex vice president

Former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb has been charged with terrorism on suspicion of carrying a pistol, the prosecutor general’s office has said.

MDP announces three-day protest

Opposition supporters have been asked to prepare for a three-day sit-in at the Artificial Beach at 4:30pm starting on Friday. The MDP said it will organize water and food and make arrangements for supporters to perform prayers, including water for ablutions.

PPM signs up two JP MPs in show of strength

In an apparent show of strength ahead of a mass opposition protest, the ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives signed up today two MPs and three island councilors from the Jumhooree Party.

Imaginary harbours

The fisher people of Gaafaru have been waiting on harbour repairs for a decade. Why do promised development projects never materialize?

Legal fiascos – why some officials are never penalized

The civil court last week ordered exorbitant compensation for two officials sacked over allegations of sexual abuse. One is a policeman, and other is a top diplomat. Why was the state unable to take action?

Team Adeeb to join MDP mass protest

“Ahmed Adeeb’s Team Adeeb has officially decided to join the alliance against tyranny,” former youth ministry coordinator Ali Shahid told the press last night.

Record MVR27.5billion budget passed for 2016

The parliament passed today a record MVR27.5billion (US$1.7billion) budget for 2016 as proposed by the finance ministry. The MDP issued a three-line whip against the budget. Some 11 amendments proposed by the party were voted out.

MDP, DRP sue Elections Commission

Two major political parties in the Maldives have lodged a complaint with the civil court over an Elections Commission order requiring re-registration of members with new fingerprinted forms.