Maldives News


Judiciary hits back at criticism in UNDP report
The Maldives judiciary has hit back at criticism over delays in justice delivery and lack of public awareness on services in a recent UNDP report, claiming the study “does not adequately inform the public on the judiciary’s functions and has several shortcomings that are of great concern.”
30 Aug 2015, 09:00


Ex-defence minister Nazim at risk of losing eyesight, says family
Nazim’s brother Adam Azim told The Maldives Independent that the retired colonel’s eyesight was rapidly deteriorating and that doctors at the Indira Gandi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) were unable to reach a definitive diagnosis.
30 Aug 2015, 09:00


Family of four leaves Maldives ‘on Jihad’
A family of four has reportedly left the Maldives to Syria last week. The husband and wife, both 28 years old, took their children, a 6-year-old and a 3-year-old, with them.
30 Aug 2015, 09:00


Young woman, hit by falling metal post, dies of injuries
A young woman who was hit by a falling metal post in Malé last night died of injuries today. Azfa Zuhair, 24 years, had suffered injuries to her head and spine, and was on life support when she passed away.
30 Aug 2015, 09:00


Vaguthu adds to dispute over documents in Nasheed’s transfer to house-arrest
In yet another twist in the dispute over documents relating to former President Mohamed Nasheed’s permanent transfer to house arrest, a pro-government news outlet has published a document that claims the opposition leader would be pardoned by July 24.
29 Aug 2015, 09:00


Maldivians reluctant to seek help from courts due to corruption, finds study
A new study has identified corruption in the Maldives as the leading factor in lack of public confidence in the justice sector. Many Maldivians, therefore, want to settle disputes out of court.
29 Aug 2015, 09:00


Thousands gather for first MDP rally since May
Thousands of supporters gathered at the Artificial Beach in Malé tonight for the first opposition rally since May, calming fears the opposition has lost support and is in disarray following former President Mohamed Nasheed’s return to jail.
28 Aug 2015, 09:00


Supreme Court to decide on meting out Sharia punishments
Amendments brought to the new penal code today state that the Supreme Court must pass a final sentence before convicts found guilty of offences for which penalties are prescribed in Islamic Sharia are punished.
27 Aug 2015, 09:00


Opposition MP proposes 65-year age limit for political party leaders
An opposition MP has proposed setting an age limit of 65 years for leaders of political parties, a move that would strip former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives’ (PPM) leadership.
27 Aug 2015, 09:00


Nasheed’s wife summoned in police probe into ‘forged documents’
Jailed former President Mohamed Nasheed’s wife, Laila Ali, is to be questioned on Friday over the authenticity of a document relating to the opposition leader’s permanent transfer to house arrest.
27 Aug 2015, 09:00


Parliament passes slew of bills on sports, disasters, police oversight
The parliament passéd today three different bills on sports, disasters, oversight of law enforcement agencies, and amendments to the penal code
27 Aug 2015, 09:00


Lawyers granted access to imprisoned former president
The Maldives government has granted lawyers access to former President Mohamed Nasheed, four days after he was returned to a high security prison on Maafushi Island.
27 Aug 2015, 09:00


In early morning raid, police ‘trespassed, harassed Nasheed’s family’
The group of 13 forensic police officers, who arrived at 9:40pm left only at 4am. They searched through books, fish tanks, and awoke Nasheed’s 13-year old daughter to search her room. journalists were removed from the premises, and officers remained inside the house without a court warrant, lawyers have said.
27 Aug 2015, 09:00


Government dismisses international concern over Nasheed’s re-imprisonment
“We do not accept the statements by these countries, nothing that contravenes the Maldivian Constitution and laws have occurred,” said Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon.
26 Aug 2015, 09:00


13 Maldivians caught extracting oil from sea turtles
Some 13 Maldivians were briefly detained on Tuesday for killing at least three sea turtles, a protected animal in the Maldives. They were caught in the process of extracting oil from turtles.
26 Aug 2015, 09:00


Court splits Haveeru ownership
The High Court ruling clears the way for three founding members of Haveeru News Agency to sue its current owner, Dr Zahir Hussain, for a share of the newspaper’s profits for the past 35 years.
26 Aug 2015, 09:00


Investigation underway into documents on Nasheed’s house-arrest
Former President Mohamed Nasheed’s lawyers have shared with the police CCTV footage of a government official who delivered documents informing the opposition leader of his permanent transfer to house arrest.
26 Aug 2015, 09:00


Political crisis risks authoritarian reversal in Maldives, warns rights groups
“We documented a serious erosion of the independence, impartiality and integrity of the judiciary, which has resulted in the deterioration in the rule of law in the Maldives and the stalling of the country’s transition toward a more representative government,” said Hina Jilani, SAHR Chairperson and a Commissioner of the ICJ.
26 Aug 2015, 09:00


US renews calls for Nasheed’s release
John Kirby, the US State Department spokesman, said the US is “disturbed” by Nasheed’s late-night transfer to prison from house arrest on Sunday.
26 Aug 2015, 09:00


President pardons convicted drug trafficker
President Yameen has pardoned Ismail Shaheem, from Thaa Thimarafushi Karankavilla, was arrested in June 2011 along with alleged drug kingpin Ibrahim Shafaz Abdul Razzaq ‘Shafa’ with more than 800 grams of heroin following a two-year long operation.
26 Aug 2015, 09:00

