Maldives News

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.

Court upholds death sentence for Afrasheem murder convict

Hussain Humam, who was found guilty in January 2013, had appealed his conviction at the appellate court. The five-judge panel at the High Court ruled unanimously today that there were no grounds to overturn the lower court’s verdict.

Nasheed asks High Court for opportunity to consult lawyers ahead of appeal hearings

The opposition leader has asked 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 high-profile international lawyers, Amal Clooney and Jared Genser, who are due to arrive in the Maldives tomorrow.

President condemns stabbing of lawyer Mahfooz

“It is not right for a person to suffer such physical harm because of what he said or did. Such crimes should be stopped in the Maldives,” Yameen said. Home minister Umar Naseer meanwhile condemned the “barbaric attack” and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Second invitation extended for Gayoom to attend campaign symposium

Gayoom had declined a previous invitation to inaugurate the first round of the symposium on Thursday night, fuelling speculation of a deepening rift between the Gayoom brothers and a split within the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM). Gayoom is the party’s leader.

MP Mahloof asks president’s office for details of ‘42,000 new jobs’

President Yameen had pledged to create 94,000 new jobs for youth during his five-year term. Speaking at the closing ceremony of a three-day symposium held to train “campaign leaders” for his re-election bid last night, Yameen said 50,000 new jobs have already been created during the past two years and that 42,000 young people have gained employment.

Family of four returns after abandoning plans to travel for ‘jihad’

A family of four who reportedly left the Maldives last week to join the civil war in Syria has returned after their intentions were discovered.

Amnesty calls for investigation of lawyer’s ‘brutal stabbing in broad daylight’

“This vicious attack must not go unpunished – Maldives authorities must ensure that human rights defenders can work free from fear of reprisals and that those responsible are held to account. There are strong suspicions that this was a targeted attack against Mahfooz Saeed and it is crucial that the true motive is uncovered,” said Abbas Faiz, Amnesty International’s Maldives researcher.

PPM appeals for unity amid rumours of rift between Gayoom brothers

After Gayoom declined an invitation to inaugurate a symposium to launch Yameen’s re-election campaign on Thursday night, a pro-government media outlet leaked conversations with PPM MPs on a Viber group, in which PPM MP Ibrahim Shujau said Gayoom’s decision can be interpreted as a refusal to back Yameen for a second term in office.

No ordinary crime: The stabbing of Mahfooz Saeed

The stabbing of lawyer Mahfooz Saeed on Friday cannot be easily dismissed as gang violence, an attempted robbery, or an assault by drug addicts, writes Hassan Mohamed.