President Muizzu faced the press for the first time in more than 300 days, marking the first of weekly briefings pledged in his address at the opening of parliament last month. The government has secured funds to repay the US$ 500 million sukuk due in April, he told reporters. He sought to assure the public that the Maldivian economy can withstand the impact of the war in the Middle East. Despite repeated questions, he refused to condemn the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US and Israeli strikes, declining to say whether he planned to send condolences.
Seven suspects investigated over alleged links to drug trafficking, organised crime and money laundering in Addu City were released after the Prosecutor General’s Office declined to file charges. Ali Nadheem, the alleged ringleader, had served as a senior political director at the sports ministry prior to his arrest. The PG office blamed the police's failure to collect sufficient evidence to raise charges upon the expiration of a March 2 deadline for completing the investigation. The office asked police to release any of the remaining suspects in custody, but noted that the case could be resubmitted if new evidence comes to light.
The housing ministry revised eligibility criteria for flats allocated under the special category for civil servants, government office staff and uniformed personnel. Under the new rules, applicants must have their family residing in the Greater Malé area, have completed at least one year of service, and agree to remain in their post for a period set by their respective office after being awarded a flat. The special category sets aside a total of 1,000 housing units for members of the judiciary, police, military, corrections and civil service as well as employees of various other government institutions.
Following the resignation of all members and staff of the Rakeedhoo island council, a group of people closed down the council office in protest, blocking the entrance with boards. The island in Vaavu atoll has a registered population of 360 but only 61 people currently reside in Rakeedhoo.
Police arrested three people on suspicion of smuggling 2kg of drugs through the airport. According to police, 38-year-old Malaysian national Ranjini Jeevananthan was apprehended at Velana International Airport, while two Maldivian men – 29-year-old Looth Ibrahim and 21-year-old Ahmed Rishmah – were arrested in Malé on Friday. The Criminal Court ordered Ranjini and Looth to be remanded in custody for 15 days, while Rishmah was remanded for five days.
The National Disaster Management Authority arranged temporary accommodation for a family residing at Maafannu Rimlaas after a fire rendered their home completely uninhabitable.
The Bank of Maldives announced that branches will open for three hours between 9:30am and 12:30pm on March 11 and 18 despite the closure of the bank for public holidays during the final 10 days of Ramadan.
The Prosecutor General’s Office appealed the Criminal Court’s acquittal of Amin Construction on money laundering charges. The PG’s office argued that the lower court deviated from established legal and judicial standards in its assessment of the evidence and in its decision not to hear prosecution witnesses. Amin Construction was accused of money laundering over its sale of two apartments at Amin Avenue to former FAM president Bassam Adeel Jaleel, who allegedly made the payments using Football Association of Maldives funds. Alongside the appeal, the PG office also sought an injunction to prevent any transactions involving the two apartments.
