Politics


President Yameen ‘lies’ about two-year accomplishments
President Abdulla Yameen falsely claimed that the family law has been amended to allow for the equitable distribution of marital property after divorce due to a “mistake” in the written speech, his spokesperson has said. Yameen said the amendments have been ratified, but the legislation is still at committee stage.
23 Jan 2016, 9:00 AM


Nasheed meets UK Prime Minister in London
Cameron assured the Maldives’ opposition leader that “the UK would continue to raise concerns about the erosion of democracy and wider situation in the Maldives and it would also continue to discuss the situation with international partners, including how best the international community can make its concerns clear to the Maldivian government,” a Downing Street spokesperson said.
23 Jan 2016, 9:00 AM


Translation of President Yameen’s January 21 speech
President Abdulla Yameen, in his first public address of the year, reflects on opposition leader Mohamed Nasheed’s temporary release from jail, and lists his government’s achievements in the youth, health and education sectors.
23 Jan 2016, 9:00 AM


Imran asks for change of judge in terrorism trial
Sheikh Imran Abdulla, the president of the Adhaalath Party, has requested a change of judge in an on going trial on terrorism charges, claiming that the presiding judge was prejudiced against him.
21 Jan 2016, 9:00 AM


Nasheed to meet UK press on Monday
“In this press conference, President Nasheed and his lawyers will assess the political situation in the Maldives and highlight the human rights abuses still ongoing in a country most people associate with tropical paradise,” the former president’s international legal team said in a press statement today.
21 Jan 2016, 9:00 AM


Supreme Court warns of action against judges over stalled trials
The apex court issued a circular yesterday saying that it will hear complaints from defendants and prosecutors and take action against judges if a trial has been delayed for an unreasonable amount of time. Stalled cases would then be “reassigned to another judge of the presiding court” or “reassigned to a judicial delegation chosen by the Supreme Court.”
21 Jan 2016, 9:00 AM


New court buildings require Supreme Court approval
The criminal court’s move to set up a courtroom in a police remand facility has prompted the Supreme Court to remind judges that new buildings require its’ approval.
20 Jan 2016, 9:00 AM


Nasheed meets top diplomats in Colombo
Following his temporary release from jail, former President Mohamed Nasheed met today with the heads of diplomatic missions in Colombo and expressed the need for dialogue between the opposition and the Maldivian government, according to sources.
20 Jan 2016, 9:00 AM


Customers leaving Dhiraagu in protest against chairman’s ‘plane crash’ comments
Customers of local telco Dhiraagu are switching en masse to its competitor after the company’s chairman sparked outrage with a Facebook comment wishing former President Mohamed Nasheed’s plane to Colombo would “land in the middle of the ocean.”
20 Jan 2016, 9:00 AM


Ministers questioned over tourism corruption scandal
The anti-corruption watchdog has questioned Attorney General Mohamed Anil and Fisheries Minister Mohamed Shainee over missing funds from several islands leased for resort development by the government-owned Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation.
20 Jan 2016, 9:00 AM


India to donate military aircraft, new helicopter to Maldives
India has promised the Maldivian military a fixed-wing aircraft and a second helicopter, according to Defence Minister Adam Shareef, who is currently in New Delhi on an official visit.
20 Jan 2016, 9:00 AM


Participants of PPM rally will be subject to security checks
The rally will be the first official PPM event since April 2014 with President Abdulla Yameen and party leader former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom in attendance. In the wake of the September 28 blast on his speedboat, which the government says was an assassination attempt, Yameen’s rare public appearances have taken place with heightened security by both the military and the police.
20 Jan 2016, 9:00 AM


Adeeb pleads not guilty to corruption charges
Former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb pleaded not guilty today at the second hearing of his trial on charges of abuse of authority over millions missing from resort lease payments.
20 Jan 2016, 9:00 AM


Minister under fire over Facebook post wishing that ex-president’s plane crash lands
A Facebook post by a deputy minister wishing that former President Mohamed Nasheed’s plane out of Malé last night would land in the middle of the ocean has sparked outrage. Opposition supporters are now lodging complaints at the telecoms company Dhiraagu which is chaired by the deputy minister.
19 Jan 2016, 9:00 AM


Majority leader hospitalised with a lung infection
Majority leader Ahmed Nihan has been admitted today at the Intensive Care Unit because of a worsening lung infection. His family is hoping to fly him to India for further treatment tomorrow.
19 Jan 2016, 9:00 AM


Adeeb’s military bodyguard arrested in boat blast probe
The police have arrested former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb’s military bodyguard on suspicion of involvement in the September 28 blast on President Abdulla Yameen’s speedboat.
19 Jan 2016, 9:00 AM


‘A step in the right direction’: John Kerry welcomes Nasheed’s release
US Secretary of State John Kerry has welcomed the Maldivian government’s decision to authorise jailed former President Mohamed Nasheed to seek medical treatment in the UK.
19 Jan 2016, 9:00 AM


Supporters jubilant as Nasheed leaves the Maldives
Opposition supporters are celebrating former President Mohamed Nasheed’s temporary release from prison with family members and lawyers live-tweeting photos of his departure from the Maldives.
18 Jan 2016, 9:00 AM


Nasheed’s brother agrees to act as guarantor
Jailed former President Mohamed Nasheed’s older brother has agreed to act as a guarantor during the opposition leader’s 30-day stay in the United Kingdom after the government conceded to demands and waived criminal liability for the guarantor.
18 Jan 2016, 9:00 AM


Prosecutors blame Sheikh Imran for May Day clashes
At today’s hearing of the Adhaalath Party leader’s terrorism trial, the state prosecutor said Imran was the leading figure of the May Day rally, but had done nothing to prevent the clashes, noting that the 2013 freedom of assembly law states that protest organisers must take responsibility if they fail to prevent violence.
18 Jan 2016, 9:00 AM

