Maldives News

Nasheed’s sentence was commuted to house arrest before state decision to appeal

Questioning the state’s decision to appeal a terrorism conviction against former President Mohamed Nasheed, lawyers revealed today that the opposition leader’s 13-year jail sentence was commuted to house arrest on July 19. The sudden reversal of stance on freeing Nasheed may affect ongoing talks, they said.

PG to appeal former president’s terrorism conviction

Citing irregularities and rights violations in the terrorism trial of former president Mohamed Nasheed, the Prosecutor General has announced today that he will appeal the criminal court’s verdict.

Government tight-lipped over rumors of a pardon for Nasheed

Attorney General Mohamed Anil today dampened talk of an imminent pardon for former president Mohamed Nasheed and the commutation of ex defense minister Mohamed Nazim’s jail sentence to house arrest, saying he is yet to receive any information on the matter.

Foreign freeholds will not threaten Indian Ocean security, assures President Yameen

After ratifying the second amendment to the constitution today, President Yameen sought to allay fears over foreign ownership of land in the Maldives, assuring the public that freeholds will not threat Indian Ocean security or lead to “enslavement” and scarcity of land.

Gayoom’s call for referendum on foreign freeholds dismissed

Dismissing former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s call for a public referendum on foreign freeholds in the Maldives, vice president Ahmed Adeeb said today: “The former president has raised his personal concerns. But the president of Maldives today is President Abdulla Yameen.”

STO cautions against panic buying as hundreds queue for petrol

STO cautions against panic buying as hundreds queue for petrol

“There is absolutely no shortage. We are operating out petrol stations at normal hours, but only rationing petrol because some people are buying petrol in bulk,” an STO media official told Minivan News.

Amendments raise fear of Chinese military expansion in the Maldives

Proposed constitutional amendments to allow foreign ownership of land in the Maldives will allow China to establish military facilities in the Maldives and destabilize the Indian Ocean, a source within the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has said.

Second amendment on foreign land ownership likely to pass

Some 64 MPs voted to consider the constitutional amendment and sent it to a special committee for review. Minority leader Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said the government must consider Indian Ocean security in awarding land to foreign parties. A final vote is expected on Wednesday afternoon.

Constitutional amendment on foreign land ownership up for debate tonight

A parliamentary debate on amending the constitution to allow foreigners to own land in the Maldives will be up for debate at an extraordinary parliament sitting tonight, only hours after it was submitted to parliament.

My life was under threat, says former vice president

Accusing President Abdulla Yameen and MPs of treachery and destroying the constitutional order, impeached vice president Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed said he had received threats to his life when he refused to resign.

Vice president’s lawyer barred from impeachment proceedings

The People’s Majlis has barred vice president Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed’s lawyer from responding to charges on his behalf before an impeachment vote at tomorrow’s parliament sitting.

Ex president’s lawyer denied work visa

Jared Genser, a member of former president Mohamed Nasheed’s international legal team was denied a business visa upon his arrival in the Maldives today.

PPM MPs slam Commonwealth ‘bullying’ as opposition MPs warn against isolation

President Abdulla Yameen had sought parliament’s counsel on the country’s membership of the Commonwealth following lobbying efforts for an assessment of Maldives’ alleged violations of the organisation’s principles with the imprisonment of opposition politicians, including former President Mohamed Nasheed.

Quitting Commonwealth will be “a huge mistake,” says vice president

“We should never allow the heat of politics to cause long lasting damage to national interests,” vice president Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed said ahead of a parliament debate on quitting the Commonwealth today.

President requests Majlis counsel on leaving Commonwealth

PPM MPs held a meeting with President Abdulla Yameen, the attorney general and the tourism minister today after the president requested parliamentary counsel on leaving the Commonwealth. The matter is up for debate at the parliament tomorrow.

Bill proposes criminalizing ‘expressions contrary to national interest and Islamic tenets’

A draft freedom of expression legislation – obtained by Minivan News – states that four types of “expressions contrary to national interest” will constitute criminal offences: encouraging harm to a person or damage to private party, calling for the illegal overthrow of the government, threatening the country’s independence, sovereignty, and security, and accusing a person of committing a hadd offence without conclusive evidence.

Power shortages may affect plans to light up Malé on Independence Day

Power shortages may spoil the government’s plans to light up the capital Malé City on Independence Day, STELCO has said. A crucial 8MW generator is down at the power plant due to an unexpected failure and may take up to two weeks to repair.

‘Drug trafficker’ acquitted on lapses highlighted in former president’s trial

‘Drug trafficker’ acquitted on lapses highlighted in former president’s trial

Citing severe procedural irregularities, the Supreme Court on Thursday acquitted a man sentenced to life in prison over drug trafficking charges. The irregularities are similar to those highlighted by ex president Mohamed Nasheed and ex defence minister Mohamed Nazim in their criminal court trials.