Maldives News

JP leader Gasim returns to Maldives

Gasim Ibrahim, the leader of Jumhooree Party (JP) returned to Maldives today after the government removed a freeze on his Villa Group accounts over an alleged unpaid fine of US$90.4million.

On social media, an outpouring of support for ex university vice chancellor

The resignation of Dr Hassan Hameed, the vice chancellor of the Maldives National University, has elicited an outpouring of support on social media and a campaign requesting President Abdulla Yameen to re-appoint him to the university board.

Comment: Did former Maldives leader receive a fair trial?

In such a politically charged case, media reporting can take a sensationalist and selective approach, writes Toby Cadman. “As with all cases, there are two sides to any argument, but the government’s position has not been given any attention and the offence for which the former president was convicted has been unnecessarily trivialized.”

Government responds to UN on ex-president’s terrorism trial

The Maldivian government, in a response to the UN working group on arbitrary detention today, contended a terrorism conviction against former president Mohamed Nasheed was not politically motivated and that allegations of lack of due process is factually incorrect.

The campaign for the vice presidency

Vice president Mohamed Jameel Ahmed remains in London and will issue a written response ahead of his imminent impeachment as supporters of the tourism minister Ahmed Adeeb began a campaign backing him for the position. His appointment as the new vice president appeared momentarily in doubt this week

Third meeting of talks rescheduled for Sunday

The president’s office has scheduled a third meeting in ongoing talks with the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) for Sunday, July 12.

Ex-president’s wife continues high-profile campaign in Europe

Laila Ali met with the president of the European Union parliament Martic Schulz in Strausberg, Germany, on Tuesday and met the UN high commissioner on human rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein in Geneva, Switzerland in a campaign to free ex-president Mohamed Nasheed.

Third meeting of talks cancelled

The government has cancelled a third meeting in ongoing talks with the MDP as some ministers are out of the country, the president’s office has said.

Corruption alleged in use of MVR150m budget for independence day

The ACC is investigating corruption in the home ministry’s use of an MVR150million budget allotted for independence day activities. The ministry is accused of awarding lucrative projects to private companies without a bidding process.

Trial begins for eight suspects accused of assaulting police officer

Journalist’s family backs independent inquiry into disappearance

Minivan News journalist Ahmed Rilwan’s family has supported the opposition’s call for an independent inquiry into his disappearance a year ago in a Malé suburb.

Defence minister summoned over Chinese submarine ‘incursion into Maldivian waters’

Defence minister Moosa Ali Jaleel has been summoned to parliament to answer whether a Chinese Yuan class 335 submarine entered Maldivian territorial waters between March 31 and May 22. MDP MP Eva Abdulla submitted the question to parliament yesterday to summon the retired major general for minister’s question time.

Jailed ex MP admitted at hospital for tests

Imprisoned former ruling party MP Ahmed Nazim has been admitted at the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) to conduct tests.

President to appoint members to university governing council

Family requests Nazim’s transfer from jail to house arrest

The family of former defense minister Mohamed Nazim has requested his transfer from prison to house arrest with an appeal filed over the 11-year-jail term on weapons smuggling charges stalled indefinitely at the High Court.

New regulation issued on import duty waivers

PPM seeks to limit elected councils to populous islands

PPM MP Abdulla Khaleel has also proposed extensive changes to the composition of local councils. Apart from the president and vice president of island, atoll, and city councils, the ruling party lawmaker proposed making other councillors part-time members who would not be involved in day-to-day activities.

Young man dies in attempt to flee from police

The young man was driving the motorbike when the police attempted to stop him in a drug operation near Flat 133 in Malé’s suburb Hulhumalé at 9:10pm. The young man sped away at high speed and crashed into a car.

Efforts to put Maldives on CMAG agenda unsuccessful, says foreign ministry

The Maldives is not on the agenda of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) despite “efforts made by some of the most powerful countries in the Commonwealth to place the Maldives on the group’s agenda and harm the nation,” the foreign ministry has said.

Progress in talks raises hope of end to crisis

Representatives of the government and the opposition expressed tonight optimism of a resolution to a six-month long political crisis with home minister stating the government is open to exploring avenues to release jailed politicians and withdraw charges against opposition supporters.