Maldives News

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Nasheed’s lawyer to be flown abroad for treatment

Former President Mohamed Nasheed’s lawyer Mahfooz Saeed will fly to Sri Lanka tonight for further treatment for a stab wound.

Amal Clooney arrives in the Maldives

Opposition supporters gathered at the Malé airport with a drumming band to welcome jailed former president Mohamed Nasheed’s international lawyer Amal Clooney today. Jared Genser is expected to arrive tomorrow.

MDP reacts angrily to Yameen calling Nasheed ‘most autocratic leader in recent history’

Home minister Umar Naseer rejoins PPM

Naseer was expelled from the PPM in mid-2013 after claiming that presidential primaries were rigged in favour of Abdulla Yameen, whom he accused of having links to criminal gangs, convicts and drug smuggling “networks.”

Environmental offenders named and shamed on Facebook

Frustrated by the lack of government action on environmental misconducts, an environmentalist has set up a Facebook page to name and shame those who violate environmental laws and harm protected species.

Corruption alleged in 90 luxury flat project

The opposition has lodged a complaint with the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) over the awarding of a contract without a bidding process to a real estate company to build a 20-storey luxury apartment complex in Malé.