Maldives
Maldives surfers protest China bridge
Eleven surfers, including Maldives’ body boarding champion, were arrested Monday evening when they protested against the construction of a bridge they say could destroy Malé’s main surf break.
01 Mar 2016, 9:00 AM
Secret terror trial for Muleeaage bomb suspects sparks concern
A major criminal trial involving four men charged with terrorism over an alleged bomb plot at the statehouse Muleeaage will be held entirely in secret, the prosecutor general’s office has said.
01 Mar 2016, 9:00 AM
Court hears challenge to former Auditor General’s removal
The Maldives High Court has begun hearing a case that will decide whether the ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives was right to remove former Auditor General Niyaz Ibrahim more than a year ago. The case is being heard 14 months after it was filed.
29 Feb 2016, 9:00 AM
Judge contests suspension at civil court
A top judge indefinitely suspended for alleged criticism of appointments to the appellate High Court has challenged his suspension at the civil court.
29 Feb 2016, 9:00 AM
First lady distributes cash in visits to Malé households
First Lady Fathimath Ibrahim distributed cash during visits to households in Malé amidst concern over the first couple’s involvement in the theft of hundreds of millions of dollars from state coffers.
29 Feb 2016, 9:00 AM
Court delays sentencing women in airport protest for fourth time
Today’s hearing was reportedly cancelled because one of the women involved in the case was abroad, said Mariyam Zubair, another defendant in the case.
29 Feb 2016, 9:00 AM
Anti-graft NGO lambasts Speaker’s silence on corruption
Anti-graft group Transparency Maldives has slammed Speaker Abdulla Maseeh for his silence and inaction over allegations of MPs’ involvement in Maldives’ biggest ever corruption scandal.
29 Feb 2016, 9:00 AM
Majority leader faces storm of criticism for spitting at female MP
Majority leader Ahmed Nihan has attracted a storm of criticism for spitting at a female opposition MP’s face during a heated exchange over corruption allegations on the parliament floor on Wednesday.
28 Feb 2016, 9:00 AM
Raajje TV faces inquiry for airing corruption allegations against president
The Maldives Broadcasting Commission has launched an investigation into a talk show aired by Raajje TV in which an opposition member levelled allegations of corruption at President Abdulla Yameen.
28 Feb 2016, 9:00 AM
Amnesty slams Maldives for lack of action on judicial reform
Amnesty International has slammed President Abdulla Yameen’s administration over its failure to address mounting concern over judicial independence.
28 Feb 2016, 9:00 AM
Policeman demoted for ‘alleging corruption’ in delayed housing project
A senior policeman was demoted last week after he alleged corruption in the delay of a housing project for police officers, The Maldives Independent understands.
28 Feb 2016, 9:00 AM
Opposition MPs fined US$6.5 over fake bills featuring president’s face
Two opposition MPs were fined Saturday for dumping fake dollars featuring President Abdulla Yameen’s face outside his residence in protest over his alleged involvement in the Maldives’ biggest-ever corruption scandal.
28 Feb 2016, 9:00 AM
Commonwealth criticised for lack of action on Maldives
A New Delhi-based rights group has criticised the Commonwealth’s failure to penalise the Maldives, arguing that the government’s “continued disregard of core Commonwealth values warrants a formal action.”
27 Feb 2016, 9:00 AM
Police continue to block anti-corruption protests
Police officers attempted to block the opposition’s anti-corruption walk for a fourth week on Friday by setting up multiple road blocks along protesters’ path and confiscating a megaphone.
27 Feb 2016, 9:00 AM
Maldives establishes new counter terrorism center
President Abdulla Yameen established Thursday a new body on counter terrorism amidst continuing concern over the steady outflow of Maldivians joining the Syrian civil war.
27 Feb 2016, 9:00 AM
Maldives falls in freedom ratings
The arrest and detention of hundreds of opposition supporters as well as treason charges against the national human rights watchdog in 2015 has resulted in a decline in Maldives’ freedom ratings.
27 Feb 2016, 9:00 AM
Government seeks new fatwa council as opposition from religious scholars grows
The government is seeking to establish a supreme council on Islamic affairs to “to ensure religious unity, create awareness on religious issues, conduct scholars’ forums, and issue fatwas on religious disputes.”
27 Feb 2016, 9:00 AM
“Who checks if the money they receive is legitimate?” – Translation of President Yameen’s Feb 24 speech
President Abdulla Yameen attempted to shrug off responsibility for the Maldives’ biggest ever corruption scandal, by claiming he was not aware “charity” to MPs and ruling party officials came from embezzled millions.
27 Feb 2016, 9:00 AM
Maldives’ pay out to GMR to include US$170million bank debt
The Maldives’ pay out to Indian infrastructure giant GMR is set to increase by hundreds of millions of dollars after a tribunal ruled Tuesday that the claim should include the company’s debt to a Singaporean bank.
25 Feb 2016, 9:00 AM
President claims he was “not aware” cash handouts to ruling party officials came from stolen millions
Yameen claims he had thought cash hands to MPs, ruling party officials and for party activities came from gifts from friendly businesses. “The receiver, whether be President, or an MP, they are unaware that the money has been obtained via MMPRC, or illegally from the state treasury.”
25 Feb 2016, 9:00 AM
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