Bassam Adeel Jaleel, former chairman of the Football Association of Maldives, was sentenced to four years in prison on corruption charges. He was found guilty of embezzling US$ 10,000 from funding provided by FIFA in 2018. Citing the use of the funds for Bassam's private business after it was transferred to his bank account, the judge handed out the maximum sentence sought by the prosecution in light of the defendant’s official capacity. Despite declaring a monthly income of US$ 5,000, the former FAM chief deposited nearly US$ 35,000 a month to his Bank of Maldives account in 2018, the judgement noted. The court is yet to rule on money laundering charges raised in the same case. Bassam is also facing other charges over the embezzlement of US$ 1.2 million entrusted by FIFA.
Faena Fayyaz, senior state counsel at the Attorney General’s Office and head of the Civil Rights Office, was arrested with her husband after police found 33 grams of drugs in a predawn raid of their apartment in Hulhumalé. The quantity exceeds the threshold for trafficking. The state attorney’s arrest was widely reported on Wednesday morning. Contrary to normal practice, police refused to reveal the identities of the suspects. Later on Wednesday, the criminal court released Faena with conditions but ordered the detention of her husband, who is said to have accepted responsibility for the drugs.
The trade ministry reclassified sectors that are open to full foreign ownership, joint ventures, and restricted to local ownership or exclusive for Maldivians. According to the new entry requirements, businesses closed to foreign investment with 100 percent foreign shareholding include the operation of picnic islands, travel agencies and tour operators, handicrafts and souvenirs, construction projects under US$ 15 million, real estate projects under US$ 100 million, retail and wholesale trade, food and beverage services, land transport, non-luxury sea transport, bunkering, sand mining, broadcasting, publishing, legal activities, security services, photography and videography, advertising and event management, postal services, logistics, forestry, computer repairs, employment agencies, clinics (except physiotherapy), and the manufacture of tobacco, wood, rubber and plastic. The ministry assured "appropriate transition arrangements" for existing investors to divest their stakes, offering periods "ranging from one to seven years, depending on the sector and scale of investment."
Police seized opposition activist Aishath Shiman's phone over alleged threats on social media against President Muizzu, Adhadhu reported. A court warrant – which was allegedly shared after the confiscation – accused her of posting a comment that incited violence against the president. The specific post was unclear. A second court order was produced to compel the 20-year-old to disclose her passwords and enable access to apps.
The Road Development Corporation allegedly sacked an employee for taking part in the MDP's protest on October 3.
The ruling party majority in parliament rejected former Supreme Court justice Mahaz Ali Zahir's nomination to the Tax Appeal Tribunal, despite a recommendation from the committee that vetted his candidacy after President Muizzu nominated the impeached judge as his top choice among seven candidates. Lawyers Ibrahim Afeef and Shaufa Ibrahim were approved to fill the two vacancies.
A Dubai court ordered the UAE-based Executors General Trading to pay MVR 37 million (US$ 2.4 million) as compensation to the Maldives government over the failure to deliver ventilators ordered in early 2020 following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. "If the payment is not made within seven days as per the court order, we will take the necessary steps to enforce the arbitration award," Attorney General Usham told state media, as MDP leaders touted the judgment as exoneration from corruption allegations made against the previous government.
The government settled a US$ 24.6 million coupon payment for the US$ 500 million sukuk issued in 2021, the finance ministry told the media, expressing confidence in the ability to repay the full US$ 500 million principal on the Islamic bond upon maturity in early 2026.
As the housing ministry conducted the final lottery draw to hand over 4,000 social housing flats awarded under the previous administration, the opposition MDP's parliamentary group urged recipients to pay the lower rent approved by the MDP government and pledged to reimburse the MVR 25,000 downpayment or security deposit for three-bedroom apartments if the party returns to power. MP Mohamed Ibrahim claimed to have evidence of bribery to award flats to ineligible recipients, as the Fahi Union decried the qualification of previously approved applicants.
Visiting Kun’burudhoo before concluding his South Ari Atoll tour, President Muizzu launched the extension of the health centre, opened a new Bank of Maldives ATM, and inaugurated a new football pitch and multi-purpose court. He also attended groundbreaking ceremonies for a new police station and fitness centre. During the visit, MTCC was enlisted for projects to reclaim 9.8 hectares of land and develop a harbour. The state-owned company also signed an agreement to build 12 new classrooms and a multi-purpose hall. On his final stop, Muizzu launched projects to build a new health centre and develop a fitness centre in Maandhoo, and opened an ATM on the island.
Dhivehi Investment Partners launched a short-duration investment called Dhivehi Investment Nafaa Fund or DHINAF.
After the president issued a decree to hold a public referendum on the composition of the Addu City Council, the Elections Commission scheduled the poll for Saturday, October 25. Voters in Hulhudhoo, Meedhoo and Feydhoo will be asked if they wish to create separate councils to administer the islands, all of which are presently under the jurisdiction of the Addu City Council. Residents of Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo – which are separate from the other interconnected islands of the southernmost atoll – will also decide whether to create a single Hulhumeedhoo council to administer both islands.
Purchase orders worth MVR 3 billion had not been entered into the system when the Fenaka Corporation’s special audit began in 2023, Auditor General Hussain Niyazi told parliament’s public accounts committee, blaming poor recordkeeping for delays in completing the audit.
