At an extraordinary sitting during recess, parliament concluded debate on the controversial media regulation bill as opposition activists and journalists protested outside. The bill was accepted in a 49-12 vote and sent to committee for review.
Police denied making any arrests when journalists attempted to stage a sit-in outside the President's Office. Several journalists were forced into police vehicles and released shortly thereafter. But police claimed the protesting journalists had only been "instructed to move out of the designated green zone, as this area is not legally authorised for protests or public gatherings".
The Maldives Journalists Association condemned Majority Leader Ibrahim Falah's call for journalists to be "impaled" – referring to a medieval execution method – and demanded an apology for the "direct and dangerous incitement of violence against journalists and media outlets in the Maldives." The Media Council and opposition MDP echoed the condemnation.
A 29-year-old man was arrested in Addu City over the alleged theft of MVR 1 million (US$ 64,850) through multiple scams. In one case, Shihan Shiyam scammed more than MVR 30,000 after calling a person and arranging a fraudulent goods supply deal. A dozen cases under investigation include compromising bank accounts, police said.
The information ministry invited applications for grant funding for the media with a deadline of September 27. As pledged by the president, 0.1 percent of the state budget was allocated to provide financial assistance to eligible outlets.
The civil court ordered Fenaka to pay MVR 7 million owed for an ice plant purchased from Kaizan Investment. The state utility sought to settle the dues in 12-month instalments but the court ordered full payment within 30 days.
A 59-year-old man was arrested in Hulhumalé after police stopped his pickup truck and found 14 bottles of alcohol.
Judges and magistrates are allowed to greet the president during his visit to islands, the judicial watchdog decided after deliberations on the ethical issues arising from participation.
