Politics


Shifting alliances: MDP votes to team up with Jameel
The Maldivian Democratic Party’s national council has voted to ally with former Vice President Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed in a controversial move the party hopes would “establish a constitutional government that represents the Maldivian public.”
02 Feb 2016, 09:00


Magistrate in contempt of court dispute dismisses allegations of sexual harassment
A magistrate, who is accused of raising contempt of court charges against a headmaster because of a dispute involving the judge and the headmaster’s sister, has denied allegations of wrongdoing.
02 Feb 2016, 09:00


Headmaster placed under house arrest on contempt of court charge
A magistrate court has raised charges of contempt and placed a school headmaster under house arrest when he accused a judge at the court of harassing his sister, an administrative staff at the courthouse, in a private text message, The Maldives Independent has learned
01 Feb 2016, 09:00


Court halts mass de-registration of political party members
The High Court issued today a stay order halting the Election Commission’s de-registration of tens of thousands of members from opposition parties.
01 Feb 2016, 09:00


LGA seeks high court order to dissolve elected island council
The Local Government Authority is seeking a High Court order to dissolve a five-member elected council in the north on a charge of doctoring official documents.
31 Jan 2016, 09:00


Nasheed’s former rival Jameel to join the opposition
Former President Mohamed Nasheed welcomed Saturday his former rival and fierce critic, former Vice President Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed, to the opposition, triggering derision and heated debate online.
31 Jan 2016, 09:00


Court prepares to hear second count of graft against Adeeb
The criminal court summoned today former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb and two of his associates for a preliminary hearing on a second count of corruption involving the misappropriation of US$5million from a resort lease.
31 Jan 2016, 09:00


Court bars defence witnesses in Imran’s terror trial
The criminal court has barred all defence witnesses in the on-going trial of Sheikh Imran Abdulla who was charged with terrorism over a speech made at a historic anti-government protest on May Day.
30 Jan 2016, 09:00


Nasheed prefers physical therapy over surgery, says lawyer
Former President Mohamed Nasheed could require up to six months to fully recover from a spinal condition, his lawyers have said. Azima Shakoor, the minister for legal affairs at the president’s office, told reporters in Colombo that the government would extend his 30-day medical leave on request.
30 Jan 2016, 09:00


NGO accuses judge in Imran’s terrorism trial of ‘prejudice’
The Maldivian Democracy Network described Judge Bari’s behaviour as “prejudicial” towards the accused as well as in breach of the code of conduct for judges.
28 Jan 2016, 09:00


Adeeb transferred to a high-security prison
Former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb was transferred from a police remand facility to a high-security prison on Maafushi Island last night, the home ministry has confirmed.
28 Jan 2016, 09:00


TVM launches English talk show to counter Nasheed’s media blitz
Top government officials appeared last night in the Maldives public broadcaster’s first-ever English talk show to dismiss former President Mohamed Nasheed’s damning comments on rising terrorist recruitment and call for targeted sanctions.
28 Jan 2016, 09:00


UK will consider Maldives sanctions, says Cameron
“We want to see a change in behaviour from the Maldivian government to make sure that political prisoners are set free and yes we are prepared to consider targeted action against individuals if further progress isn’t made,” Cameron told the British parliament yesterday.
28 Jan 2016, 09:00


Court to hear Adeeb’s complaint of discriminatory treatment after talks fail
The civil court will formally hear a complaint by detained former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb over discriminatory treatment in police custody after the police refused to settle the dispute out of court.
27 Jan 2016, 09:00


Nasheed’s media blitz: IS recruitment, political repression, and 2018 election
In an interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour alongside his celebrity lawyer Amal Clooney, the 48-year-old opposition leader said he will challenge President Abdulla Yameen in the 2018 presidential election. “I think I will have to fight the next election. It’s unfinished business. Everything seems to be very half-baked,” he said.
27 Jan 2016, 09:00


UN panel rejected government’s appeal of Nasheed ruling
A UN human rights panel rejected the government’s appeal of its judgment declaring former President Mohamed Nasheed’s imprisonment illegal, the opposition leader’s lawyer Jared Genser told the press in London yesterday.
26 Jan 2016, 09:00


Supreme Court to validate some lower court rulings
The Supreme Court has granted itself the final word on rulings that strike down laws and regulations by announcing that such verdicts would be up for review regardless of whether the parties involved desired an appeal.
26 Jan 2016, 09:00


Government plans for an ice-rink in Malé draws criticism
President Abdulla Yameen’s plans for a “winter corner” in Malé’s main park complete with an ice skating rink has sparked an outcry online, with critics claiming the move is meant to distract the Maldivian public from the government’s failure to address serious social ills.
26 Jan 2016, 09:00


Prominent religious scholars call for judicial reform
Citing verses of the Qur’an and Prophet Muhammad’s hadith, a group of 31 prominent religious scholars have urged Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed and the judicial watchdog to stem the tide of eroding public trust and confidence in the Maldivian judiciary.
26 Jan 2016, 09:00


Former MDP vice president seeks annulment of internal election
Alhan Fahmy, former MP and vice president of the Maldivian Democratic Party, has sued the main opposition party at the civil court seeking the annulment of internal elections held in 2014.
25 Jan 2016, 09:00

