Maldives News
Government criticises UN rights chief over ‘inappropriate’ calls for Nasheed’s release
“To seek the release of an individual purely on the basis of his political standing and having [no] regard to the allegations against him is inappropriate, and clearly seeks to circumvent the rule of law,” the foreign ministry said after Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussain urged the government to release the former president “given the deeply tainted nature of [his] case.”
14 Sep 2015, 09:00
Government to reclaim Malé southwest harbour
The government has announced plans to reclaim the southwestern harbour of Malé to build a waste management center and to relocate warehouses.
14 Sep 2015, 09:00
Shortened Eid holiday sparks anger
September 20 and 21, previously designated as public holidays in connection with Eid Al Adha, will now be working days, the government has announced. The reversal has sparked anger.
14 Sep 2015, 09:00
Saudi Arabia grants US$80m loan for Hulhumalé development
Speaking at a ceremony held this morning for signing the loan agreement, finance minister Abdulla Jihad said the loan was arranged within two to three months, which was “a record” in the ministry’s history and demonstrated the close ties between the Maldives and Saudi Arabia.
14 Sep 2015, 09:00
Victim of Addu City link road accident passes away
A 61-year-old man died of injuries sustained in an accident on Addu City’s link road last night – the third fatality in a motorcycle accident in the southernmost atoll this year.
13 Sep 2015, 09:00
Ninth century relics discovered in Hanyaameedhoo
A coral box dating back to the ninth century has been discovered buried underground on the island of Hanyaameedhoo in Alif Dhaal atoll. The box contained about a kilo of cowrie shells and an idol resembling a cow. Cowrie shells were used as currency in antiquity and the cow idol is believed to have been an object of worship.
13 Sep 2015, 09:00
Maldivian pilgrims ‘safe and accounted for’ after crane crash at Grand Mosque
All 2,000 Maldivian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia are safe and accounted for after a crane collapse at the Grand Mosque in Mecca last night left at least 107 people dead and 238 injured.
12 Sep 2015, 09:00
Government assures investigation of alleged bugging of ex-president’s meeting with lawyers
Following international media coverage of the alleged secret surveillance, the prisons authority said in a statement – posted in English on Twitter by the foreign ministry yesterday – that the “suggestion that the Maldives Correctional Services or the government is responsible for this infringement is wholeheartedly rejected.”
12 Sep 2015, 09:00
MDP resumes anti-government campaign with protest march
A moratorium on street protests was part of a deal made with the government in exchange for the release of political prisoners. The MDP withdrew from the talks after Nasheed was taken back to Maafushi jail on August 23, citing the government’s refusal to honour its commitment to release the former president and other jailed opposition politicians.
11 Sep 2015, 09:00
Government ‘spied’ on Nasheed’s meeting with lawyers Amal Clooney, Jared Genser
Former President Mohamed Nasheed’s high-profile international lawyers Amal Clooney and Jared Genser have alleged that the government spied on their meeting with the opposition leader at the high-security Maafushi prison this morning.
10 Sep 2015, 09:00
High Court rejects state’s appeal of Nasheed’s conviction
Following a preliminary hearing held yesterday to decide whether to proceed with the appeal, the three-judge panel ruled unanimously that it could not accept the case because it was not filed by Nasheed.
10 Sep 2015, 09:00
Head of PPM branch facing disciplinary action after backing removal of Gayoom from leadership
The ruling Progressive Party of Maldives’ disciplinary committee has been asked to investigate a statement issued by the head of the party’s Machchangoalhi south branch, Ahmed Shamoon, backing the removal of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom from the party’s leadership.
09 Sep 2015, 09:00
Court hears state’s appeal of Nasheed’s terrorism conviction
At a preliminary hearing to determine if the high court should accept the state’s appeal of terrorism conviction against Nasheed, prosecutors said the state is seeking a review of the proceedings at the lower court to ensure that his constitutional rights were not violated and that the trial was free and fair.
09 Sep 2015, 09:00
Nasheed’s lawyer Jared Genser arrives in Maldives
Speaking to reporters upon arriving at the international airport this afternoon, Genser expressed confidence that the UN working group will issue a ruling in October declaring Nasheed’s 13-year jail sentence arbitrary and unlawful. Genser traveled from the airport to the Maafushi prison to visit Nasheed along with his colleague Amal Clooney.
09 Sep 2015, 09:00
Amal Clooney meets former President Nasheed in prison
“[Nasheed] is pleased that I’ll be attending meetings on his behalf with the government this week,” Clooney told press after the two-hour meeting. The government has said Attorney General Mohamed Anil will meet the former president’s foreign lawyers on behalf of the government.
08 Sep 2015, 09:00
Government unveils design of ‘China-Maldives friendship bridge’
Vice President Ahmed Adeeb and Chinese Minister of Commerce Gao Yan unveiled the design of the “China-Maldives Friendship Bridge” in an animated video presentation at a ceremony held at raalhugadu (surf point) area of Malé last night.
08 Sep 2015, 09:00
Court refuses to share documents with Nasheed ahead of appeal hearing
The former president had requested requesting the court to send him the case documents and to provide sufficient time to review the PG’s appeal with his legal counsel, including his international lawyers. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for 2:00pm tomorrow to decide whether to accept the appeal.
08 Sep 2015, 09:00
PPM branch backs Gayoom’s removal from party’s leadership
The Progressive Party of Maldives’ Machchangoalhi south branch has declared support for proposed amendments to the political party law that would strip former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom of the ruling party’s leadership.
08 Sep 2015, 09:00
Our protectors have failed us
The Maldivian police, who have pledged to protect and serve us, have failed us. Stabbings, killings, death threats, and destruction of property are now common in the Maldives. To date, justice has been delivered in only a handful of cases, writes Shafaa Hameed.
08 Sep 2015, 09:00
President Yameen demotes ‘Gayoom loyalists’ in political posts
President Abdulla Yameen has demoted three political appointees seen as loyal to his half-brother former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom amid rumours of a rift between the brothers.
07 Sep 2015, 09:00
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