Driving rules, ethics probe and suspended prosecutors

The transport minister defended new regulations that introduced an easier pathway for those above 60 years of age to obtain a special driving license for vehicles with engines under 60cc. The new rules also prohibited the import of motorcycles older than three years; cars, vans and SUV-type vehicles older than five years; seven-year-old and 15-year-old vehicles with a carrying capacity of one to four tons and 10 tons or more respectively. A garage letter will be required for the import of four-wheeled vehicles. 

The Judicial Service Commission concluded inquiries into alleged ethical misconduct by suspended Supreme Court Justices Azmiralda Zahir and Mahaz Ali Zahir, both of whom are accused of exerting undue influence over criminal court judges. The watchdog refused to call defence witnesses proposed by Mahaz.

Two prosecutors were suspended over alleged sexual harassment pending an inquiry by the Prosecutor General’s office's ethic committee. 

A 20-year-old man arrested on suspicion of dousing MDP activist Mariyam Zubair with used engine oil was released after 15 days in custody, prompting allegations of government influence. 

Agreements will be signed for additional financing for the airport expansion and a housing project during the upcoming visit of the the Saudi Fund's chief executive, the finance ministry said.

Abdul Maaniu, a Maldivian student who suffered serious injuries after being hit by a plane propeller in the Philippines, was in stable condition after a five-hour long surgery, his family told the media. But he needs several more surgeries for injuries to his face, hands and abdomen.

The government is due to announce scholarships from the Zakat fund this week, covering masters and PhDs in Islamic knowledge and super-specialist medical training. According to the Islamic ministry, 2024 was a record year for Zakat contributions with over MVR 100 million (US$ 6.4 million) worth of charity payments.

The Kulhudhuffushi magistrate court sentenced a Maldivian man to life imprisonment on drug smuggling charges. He was convicted of attempting to smuggle 51 grams of Diamorphine into the norther city. A fine of MVR 100,000 was imposed in addition to the prison sentence.