Politics
Second hearing in top tourism official’s graft charges postponed
A second hearing in graft charges against Abdulla Ziyath, a tourism official and close associate of former vice president Ahmed Adeeb, was cancelled today because the presiding judge is on leave.
11 Jan 2016, 09:00
Azima Shakoor appointed as legal affairs minister
President Abdulla Yameen made four new ministerial appointments today. Former Attorney General Azima Shakoor was appointed as minister of legal affairs at the president’s office.
10 Jan 2016, 09:00
Adeeb questions evidence in first hearing of terrorism trial
In the first hearing of a trial on a terrorism charge, former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb said he was unaware of any evidence against him except for two statements that claimed he had carried a pistol on May 1 when tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets over the jailing of political prisoners.
10 Jan 2016, 09:00
Colonel Fayaz’s lawyers petition PG over continued military detention
Lawyers representing Colonel Ahmed ‘Papa’ Fayaz are now petitioning the prosecutor general to ensure his administrative military detention, which began in early October, is legal.
10 Jan 2016, 09:00
Court refuses to enforce UN human rights panel ruling on Nasheed
The civil court has thrown out a petition by former President Mohamed Nasheed requesting his immediate release in line with a UN human rights panel ruling. The court claimed it had no jurisdiction, according to lawyers.
10 Jan 2016, 09:00
Presiding judge in Nasheed’s terrorism trial appointed as chief judge of the High Court
Judge Abdulla Didi who presided over former President Mohamed Nasheed’s flawed terrorism trial was appointed as the chief judge of the appellate High Court on Thursday.
09 Jan 2016, 09:00
Saudi Arabian NGO begins workshop for Maldives Imams
The six day workshop, led by the Muslim World League, aims to address contentious religious and teach participants how to interpret the Quran. Sessions on Islamic culture will also be held.
09 Jan 2016, 09:00
Prosecutor General denies wrongdoing in dropping graft charges against ex-minister
Newly appointed Prosecutor General Aishath Bisham has denied allegations of conflict of interest in deciding not to prosecute a former presidential affairs minister for graft over last year’s poor Independence Day banquet.
07 Jan 2016, 09:00
Finance ministry prepares for administrative overhaul after strike
The ministry of finance and treasury is preparing for an administrative overhaul after President Abdulla Yameen reconstituted its functions in the aftermath of a strike by hundreds of civil servants who were protesting mass job cuts.
07 Jan 2016, 09:00
Reporter detained for taking photo of Adeeb on his first visit to Malé
A reporter was briefly detained today for taking a picture of former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb as he left the capital under heavy police guard following his first visit to Malé since his detention in October.
06 Jan 2016, 09:00
National carrier dismisses rumours of special jet for president
The Maldives’ national carrier’s plans to buy a new jet to cater to VIP passengers has fuelled rumours that President Abdulla Yameen, who recently escaped a blast on his speedboat, is seeking a jet for his private use.
06 Jan 2016, 09:00
Maldives parliament to form joint committees with Saudi Arabia’s Shura Council
The Maldivian parliament and Saudi Arabia’s Shura Council have agreed to form “integrated joint committees” to work together on issues of mutual interest such as the threat of terrorism. The decision was revealed during an ongoing visit by Shura Council Speaker Dr Abdulla bin Mohamed bin Ibrahim Al-Sheikh.
05 Jan 2016, 09:00
High Court concludes hearings in ex-defence minister’s appeal
The High Court heard closing statements today in former Defence Minister Mohamed Nazim’s appeal of his 11-year jail sentence on a weapons smuggling charge. Presiding Judge Abdul Rauf Ibrahim said a verdict will be delivered at the final hearing. Lawyers will be duly notified of a date, he said.
05 Jan 2016, 09:00
Ex-defence minister granted medical leave for heart surgery in Singapore
The Maldives Correctional Services this week approved a 15-day medical leave for the retired colonel to undergo a heart surgery in Singapore. A final hearing in the appeal of Nazim’s 11-year jail sentence on a weapons smuggling charge is meanwhile due to take place tomorrow.
04 Jan 2016, 09:00
Former Vice President, top tourism official face fresh corruption charges
The Prosecutor General’s office has meanwhile filed money laundering charges against Hamid Ismail – an influential businessman related to detained former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb – at the criminal court this morning. According to the police, acquisition fees paid to the government’s tourism promotion company for a resort lease were deposited into the accounts of a company linked to Hamid, instead of the state treasury.
04 Jan 2016, 09:00
Maldives heading towards safety and stability, says home minister
Citing a steady decline in the crime rate, Umar Naseer said that the Maldives is heading towards a “safer and more stable” future under the current administration. But critics say the police statistics are misleading as many Maldivians lack confidence in the police institution and do not report crimes.
04 Jan 2016, 09:00
“Miscommunication” delaying release of alleged Sri Lankan sniper
“Local investigators in Malé have repeatedly informed me that they were waiting for the all-clear from the authorities in Colombo on the detained Sri Lankan before moves could be made to release him but there appear to be certain shortcomings,” the suspect’s defence lawyer told Sri Lankan media.
04 Jan 2016, 09:00
Elections Commission processing membership forms ahead of mass de-registration
“We are trying to process the forms sent in December by the end of January. We will be deregistering any membership form without fingerprints after that,” commission member Ahmed Akram told The Maldives Independent today.
03 Jan 2016, 09:00
Japan opens resident embassy in Maldives
“The government of the Maldives believes that the new embassy would completely change the dynamics of Maldives-Japan relations as it will help open-up new avenues for cooperation that would propel relations to new heights,” the foreign ministry said.
03 Jan 2016, 09:00
Government denies Sri Lanka blacklisted foreign minister and MP
Newspaper Haveeru reported today that the pair were also held for more than an hour at the airport before being told they were blacklisted “by mistake.” Dunya and Faris – children of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom – reportedly traveled to Colombo on an unofficial visit in late December.
03 Jan 2016, 09:00
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