The ruling PNC parliamentary group decided to file a no-confidence motion against Deputy Speaker Ahmed Nazim, the PNC MP for Dhiggaru, multiple media outlets reported, citing ruling party lawmakers. The decision was taken at an 11:15am PG meeting after PNC MPs boycotted two attempts to convene Wednesday morning's parliamentary sitting at 9am and again at 10am, leaving the house short of the 25-member quorum and forcing Nazim, who was in the chair as deputy speaker, to cancel proceedings. Shortly before the session, President Muizzu reportedly removed Nazim from the WhatsApp group he uses to instruct PNC MPs, with no reason given. The push to oust Nazim has been driven by claims he has been working against the president and government from within parliament. PG leader Ibrahim Falah denied a similar move last month when it was first reported.
Hundreds of protesters marched through Malé demanding the release of jailed Adhadhu journalists Mohamed Shahzan and Leevan Ali Nasir. The protest started from the MDP office with former President Nasheed leading supporters to the artificial beach. Adhadhu CEO Hussain Fiyaz Moosa and the family of the two journalists as well former President Yameen’s People’s National Front protesters also joined the crowd. Protesters chanted Shahzan's question to President Muizzu – about his late-night phone calls to a woman – as they walked along Majeedhee Magu. A first clash with police came near former president Yameen's residence when protesters tried to carry a sofa toward Muleeage; one person was arrested as officers seized it on Alikilegefaanu Magu. After protesters broke through police lines and staged a sit-in at the Majeedhee Magu–Chaandhanee Magu junction, officers in riot gear moved in shortly before midnight and detained several more, including social media activist Shamoon Jaleel 'Lucas.' The Maldives Journalists Association said police deliberately obstructed reporters, photographers and videographers covering the protest, calling on police to investigate and ensure journalists can work safely. Channel 13's Mariyam Ismail said an SO officer struck her with a shield while she was standing on the pavement showing her press card. Another protest was announced for Thursday night. Nasheed pledged the MDP would protest every day until the journalists were free.
The Criminal Court began preliminary hearings in the qazf (false accusation of adultery) charges against Adhadhu CEO Hussain Fiyaz Moosa and editor Hassan Mohamed over the outlet’s documentary featuring allegations by a former aide of a sexual affair with President Muizzu. Lawyers did not disclose details from the closed-door hearing due to a Criminal Court gag order barring discussion of the trial and documents shared during discovery. A second hearing is expected to be scheduled within two weeks.
International and domestic press freedom bodies, the Bar Council of Maldives, and civil society groups condemned the contempt detentions of Adhadhu journalists Mohamed Shahzan and Leevan Ali Naseer. The sentences marked the first time media workers have been imprisoned in the Maldives since the adoption of the 2008 democratic constitution, the International Federation of Journalists observed, calling the closed-door hearings "a calculated dismantling of the legal safeguards designed to protect journalists" and demanded the convictions and "draconian gag order" be overturned. The Committee to Protect Journalists called the imprisonment "a punitive attempt to criminalise investigative journalism and shield the presidency from scrutiny." The Bar Council of Maldives said the breadth of the gag order, restrictions on access to legal counsel and the conduct of the contempt proceedings raised serious due-process concerns. It has written to the Attorney General, Prosecutor General and Criminal Court reminding them of their constitutional obligations and unanimously resolved to offer pro bono legal assistance to journalists through its clearing house. Transparency Maldives said the case eroded press freedom and democratic accountability. Former Justice Husnu Suood called the imprisonment "a serious mistake" and said the two had "paid a heavy price simply for doing their jobs." Former President Solih said the jailing "marks another shameful chapter in the government’s attempt to intimidate the press and silence public dissent."
An accident on the link road connecting Hulhumalé to Malé claimed the life of a motorcyclist. Police said the incident was reported shortly after 10pm. The motorcycle skidded near the airport traffic light on the Hulhumalé-to-Malé lane and the rider was run over by a pickup. The man sustained serious injuries. Police did not disclose any further details.
Police launched a qazf investigation into lawyer Adam Asif over remarks he made during a protest on April 20. Asif was summoned to appear for questioning at 10am on Thursday.
Two people in the Greater Malé area tested positive for measles this week, the Health Protection Agency revealed. The agency said it is conducting case investigations to determine how the infections were contracted, while also carrying out contact tracing and administering vaccines to contacts. According to the HPA, five measles cases have been reported in the Maldives this year, including two involving travellers who entered the country after contracting the virus. Citing the recent spread of measles globally and in neighbouring countries, the agency urged the public to seek medical attention if they develop symptoms such as fever and a rash.
PNC MP Ahmed Azaan filed a civil defamation case against Dhauru over an editorial by veteran editor Moosa Latheef after last month’s police raid on Adhadhu’s office. In the piece, Latheef drew a sharp contrast between the Muizzu administration’s response to a documentary alleging sexual misconduct and the former Solih administration’s handling of an incident in which Azaan – then a journalist at Dhiyares – questioned President Solih during a press conference over allegations of adultery. Latheef argued that the support Azaan received from the PNC base for asking inflammatory questions, despite the former government taking no action against him or Dhiyares, helped propel him to his current position as a ruling party lawmaker.
Mohamed Nazeeh, a ruling party candidate for Meemu Veyvah Council, secured victory by a single vote after the High Court invalidated three ballots cast for his opponent, Ihsan Naeem, overturning Naeem’s initial two-vote lead. In the majority ruling, judges Mohamed Shaneez Abdulla and Abdul Rauf Ibrahim said small dots on the ballots had compromised voting secrecy. Dissenting judge Ibrahim Mahir argued the marks were likely printing defects, citing Elections Commission testimony that similar dots had appeared on other ballot papers this year due to the printing process, as well as a letter from Novelty Publishers stating the marks could result from either the paper or printing process.
President Muizzu declared May 24 and 25 public holidays, extending the Eid al-Adha break to nine days.
Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam met with India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal during her first official visit to India, made at Jaishankar’s invitation. Iruthishaam said talks with Goyal focused on fast-tracking negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement between the Maldives and India, advancing the bilateral investment treaty, expanding trade and currency settlements, and digitalisation efforts. During her meeting with Jaishankar, she said they discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral ties, people-to-people connections, and the longstanding Maldives-India partnership, while thanking him for the invitation and hospitality.
