Maldives News

Mahloof tells judge to skip to sentencing

The Amnesty International prisoner of conscience on Tuesday told the judge presiding over his trial on a “false reporting” tweet to hand down any verdict he wants.

Asset recovery commission’s term extended to November

The commission was formed for a one-year period in July last year to oversee the recovery of stolen funds flagged by the Auditor General and the anti-corruption watchdog.

Trials of MPs charged for ‘entering parliament’ resume after hiatus

The 12 MPs are accused of scaling barricades to enter parliament in July last year, after which they were manhandled and dragged out by police officers and soldiers in riot gear.

Top opposition lawyer summoned for court inquiry

Hisaan Hussain was summoned for an inquiry launched into comments she made to the press following the conviction of the country’s highest-ranking judges last week.

Expert explains DNA evidence in Rilwan abduction trial

DNA lifted from hairs found in the trunk of a car owned by one of the defendants matched Rilwan’s mother.

First lady’s charity distributes dates for Ramadan

Sadaqat Foundation staff and ruling party lawmakers were handing out dates in Malé’s streets and near ferry terminals on Saturday

Missing peacock returned to owner

Indian navy vessel in joint patrol of Maldivian waters

Indian media speculated that the joint exercise signals a thaw in bilateral relations, which was strained after a state of emergency was declared in February.

President mocks jailed rivals, promises ‘surprise’ manifesto

President Abdulla Yameen on Friday launched a series of attacks against his jailed and exiled rivals at a ruling party rally in Malé’s carnival area.

Nasheed proposes switch to parliamentary system

Former president Mohamed Nasheed has proposed switching to a parliamentary system after a six-year interim national unity government to oversee transitional justice and constitutional reforms.

Elections Commissioner resigns, appointed state minister

Elections Commission member Mohamed Shakeel was appointed state minister of economic development shortly after his resignation from the five-member electoral body.

Top Maldives judges found guilty of influencing official conduct

Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed and Justice Ali Hameed were accused of influencing judges. Their trial was held in secret but the sentencing hearing was open to the media and public.

Verdict delayed as Justice Hameed rushed to hospital

Wednesday’s sentencing hearing was postponed several times and eventually cancelled after the Hameed was taken to hospital with breathing difficulties before he went into the courtroom.

Foreign travellers account for 95% of tourism-related emissions in Maldives

The study looked at who was responsible for tourism-related carbon emissions: travellers or the tourist destinations.

Opposition denounces conviction of chief justice

The joint opposition denounced a five-month jail sentence handed to Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed as ambassadors from the US and UK questioned the possibility of free and fair polls this year.

Secret witness retracts leaked statement

Ibrahim Shiyam, who claimed to have handed over bags of cash to lawmakers, informed the criminal court and police that he was no longer willing to testify in the terrorism trials of top judges and politicians.

Nasheed accused of plotting southern secession in leaked audio

Former president Mohamed Nasheed is under fire over a leaked audio of a conversation about Addu City seceding from the Maldives to form a new state.

Everything is fine in the Maldives, ambassador tells Chinese media

China is one of the biggest investors in the Maldives, with more than a billion dollars ploughed into three infrastructure projects, and it has signed a huge trade deal with the country. It is also a major supplier of visitors.

New lagoon acquisition costs published

The tourism ministry published new rules for calculating acquisition costs to separately lease lagoons of islands leased for tourism development.

First lady starts door-to-door campaign

Fathmath Ibrahim visited 10 homes in the Machchangoalhi ward of the capital and handed over gifts from her charity foundation. The contents of the gift package were not clear.