Politics

Independent MP questioned over corruption allegations against first couple

Ex-Prosecutor General released, judge remanded

Muhthaz Muhsin was arrested around midnight last night along with a judge at the Maamigili magistrate court on suspicion of involvement in issuing an “invalid” court order to arrest President Abdulla Yameen. The High Court has extended Judge Nihan’s remand detention to seven days.

Yameen vows to take action over Maldives’ biggest corruption scandal

Yameen’s remarks came after a local company implicated in the unprecedented corruption scandal said that the the missing funds were distributed to the first couple, the ruling party, and senior politicians.

Police investigating ‘fake warrant’ issued for President Yameen’s arrest

Chief Superintendent Mohamed Riyaz told the press that former President Mohamed Nasheed – who is currently in the UK on a 30-day medical leave from prison – called a senior officer of the security services and encouraged him to enforce the bogus arrest warrant.

Sheikh Imran returned to jail from house arrest

After nearly four months under house arrest, Adhaalath Party leader Sheikh Imran Abdulla was abruptly transferred to prison last night until the conclusion of his ongoing terrorism trial.

Thousands gather for Nasheed and Jameel’s message from London

Once bitter rivals, former President Mohamed Nasheed and former Vice President Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed appeared tonight side-by-side in a video message broadcast from London, urging Maldivians to unite against President Abdulla Yameen’s alleged corruption.

Police block anti-corruption walk

Dozens of riot police officers have set up barricades on all roads leading to Malé’s Artificial Beach today in an attempt to block a walk organized by the opposition in protest over what watchdog bodies have called the Maldives’ biggest ever corruption scandal.

Translation of President Yameen’s 2016 presidential address

President Abdulla Yameen’s 2016 presidential address at the People’s Majlis opening touched on sovereignty, judicial reform, and the government’s achievements in health care, education, and infrastructure projects.

MDP claims evidence of Maldives government involvement in terrorism financing

The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party claims it has damning evidence of government involvement in terrorism financing, money laundering, and bribery.

Police ban Maldives anti-corruption walk

The police have banned Friday’s anti-corruption walk organized by the Maldivian Democratic Party, citing concerns over clashes in the past and ongoing construction on a bridge and artificial beach project in Malé.

Opposition boycotts People’s Majlis opening

MPs of the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party did not attend today’s inaugural session of the People’s Majlis, in protest over a controversial change of venue.

Indian health expo in Malé to feature leading hospitals

The High Commission of India is hosting next week a health expo featuring some 20 leading multi speciality hospitals and a free medical camp at the state-owned Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital.

Adeeb pledges support for the opposition

Detained former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb has pledged support to the opposition just days after his predecessor, Vice President Mohamed Jameel Ahmed, formally joined the opposition coalition.

Jameel highlights reform record in message of thanks

Former Vice President Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed highlighted his past record of protecting Islam and upholding the rule of law in a message of thanks addressed to opposition supporters.

Change of venue for state opening of People’s Majlis

The People’s Majlis is set to reconvene on Thursday at the Dharubaaruge multi purpose hall instead of the parliament house because of a minor fire that damaged its air conditioning system.

Commonwealth diplomats, EU MEPs to visit Maldives next week

The government, which has received fierce criticism in the past year over the jailing of opposition leaders including former President Mohamed Nasheed, is hoping the high-level visits would clarify misunderstandings over human rights and democracy in the Maldives, Foreign Miniter Dunya Maumoon said.

Nasheed’s terrorism appeal begins at Supreme Court

The Supreme Court began reviewing an appeal filed by the state over a controversial 13-year terror sentence against former President Mohamed Nasheed that was criticised by a UN human rights panel as illegal and politically motivated.

Non-lethal bullets discovered on uninhabited island

The police are conducting a search of a recently uninhabited island in the Maldives’ remote north after a group of boys discovered boxes of non-lethal bullets in an old water well.

Supreme Court proposes changes to new penal code

The Supreme Court has proposed amendments to the Maldives’ new penal code in the first known meeting of the multi-stakeholder judicial sector law reform committee on Sunday, according to the state broadcaster.

Jail term for contempt of court reduced, fine hiked to MVR100,000

The Supreme Court has hiked a fine for contempt of court from MVR10,000 (US$649) to MVR100,000 (US$6485) and authorized judges to suspend lawyers found guilty of contempt of court for up to six months. Jail term for contempt of court was reduced from six months to up to one month.