Politics
Calls grow for “extraordinary measures to tackle grand corruption”
“Corruption continues to undermine development by promoting wastage, has eroded public confidence in key institutions and victimise vulnerable communities in Maldivian society,” Transparency Maldives has said.
10 Dec 2015, 09:00
Supreme Courts orders police investigation against ex-vice president’s lawyer
A police spokesperson confirmed that Hussain Shameem is under investigation, but declined to reveal the nature of the charges against the former deputy prosecutor general. The Department of Judicial Administration, which functions under the direct supervision of the Supreme Court, also refused to provide details.
09 Dec 2015, 09:00
Yameen lauds India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy
“All SAARC Member States must work collectively together to deliver human security for our people, and ensure that terrorist organisations have no room to spread their venom in the region,” Yameen said.
09 Dec 2015, 09:00
Death sentence on a “coerced confession” prompts concern
The high court has sentenced a man to death based on a murder confession he had retracted in court, prompting concern that the verdict heralds a return to the tradition of confession-based sentencing, instead of building cases on solid evidence.
09 Dec 2015, 09:00
State-owned flats leased to president’s son
Two state-owned flats in Malé have been leased to President Abdulla Yameen’s son below market price with the consent of the anti-corruption watchdog. Each two-bedroom apartments in the Muraidhoo house – formerly part of the presidential palace – was leased for a monthly rent of MVR12,000.
08 Dec 2015, 09:00
Home minister reveals Nasheed’s medical condition in a tweet
Home Minister Umar Naseer revealed today jailed former President Mohamed Nasheed’s medical condition, prompting an outcry on social media over the release of confidential information.
08 Dec 2015, 09:00
Former government officials escape prosecution over GMR dispute
Ex Finance Minister Ahmed Inaz, former Maldives Airports Company Ltd Chairman ‘Bandhu’ Ahmed Saleem, and former members of the MACL board of directors will not be charged over an alteration to a concession agreement with GMR that the anti-corruption watchdog claims cost the state millions in revenue.
08 Dec 2015, 09:00
Cameron’s Maldives comments “not true”
UK Prime Minister David Cameron’s claim that the Maldives has been placed on the Commonwealth’s watch is not true, the foreign ministry has said.
07 Dec 2015, 09:00
Row over distribution of relief funds for victims of Addu City flooding
The involvement of a ruling party MP in distributing disaster relief funds for victims of flooding in Addu City has sparked controversy with an opposition MP alleging discrimination between pro-government and opposition-supporting constituencies.
07 Dec 2015, 09:00
‘Political prisoners’ awaiting permission to travel abroad for medical care
Families of former President Mohamed Nasheed, former defence minister Mohamed Nazim and former MP Ahmed Nazim are petitioning the state to allow the three to travel abroad for medical care. Nasheed requires a backbone surgery for slipped discs, lawyers said today.
07 Dec 2015, 09:00
Forensic test finds Nasheed’s house-imprisonment document authentic
Lawyers said foreign forensic experts had compared the July 19 document with similar documents provided by the Maldives Correctional Services and found that the same government ink stamp was used on all three documents.
07 Dec 2015, 09:00
Yameen appoints new police chief
President Abdulla Yameen has appointed a new police chief more than a month after sacking the former commissioner of police on an allegation of politicising the police force.
06 Dec 2015, 09:00
Insufficient evidence to prosecute ex-minister over independence day banquet scandal
The anti-corruption watchdog had found that Mohamed Hussain Shareef – who resigned in late October after being asked to stay home – awarded the MVR3.7 million catering contract to a restaurant owned by activists of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives despite their lack of experience.
06 Dec 2015, 09:00
President Yameen’s speech on 50 years of UN membership
“The UN is the biggest family with most members. Political and diplomatic organisations and associations exist within this family. These organisations and associations sometimes act as policeman, criticizing and penalizing small nations over events that occur in small nations,” President Abdulla Yameen said.
06 Dec 2015, 09:00
Ex vice president, top tourism official charged with corruption
Adeeb is accused of abuse of power over the lease of a lagoon in Malé atoll to a foreign company. His associate, Abdulla Ziyath, former head of the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), has been charged with embezzling acquisition fees from islands leased for resort development.
06 Dec 2015, 09:00
CMAG has placed Maldives “under formal consideration,” says Cameron
Cameron, in a statement to the UK parliament on November 30, said he “welcomed the report of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group and the decision to put the Maldives under formal consideration and to visit there in early 2016.”
05 Dec 2015, 09:00
When can the Maldives president commute the death penalty?
In a blow to groups urging the Maldives to reinstate a moratorium on the death penalty, the high court has ruled that the president cannot commute the death sentence for individuals convicted of first-degree murder. Judges, however, specified other instances where the president can intervene.
02 Dec 2015, 09:00
Row over use of UN emblem in opposition protest
The United Nations country office in the Maldives has scolded the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party for “misusing” the UN emblem during a protest this weekend.
02 Dec 2015, 09:00
Ex-minister accused of corruption over independence day banquet
Mohamed Hussain Shareef had awarded a restaurant owned by activists of the ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives a MVR3.7million contract despite their lack of experience, an Anti Corruption Commission investigation has found.
02 Dec 2015, 09:00
Maldives to partner with Saudi Arabia and China on mega projects
President Abdulla Yameen is looking to Saudi Arabia and China for investment amidst persisting criticism of his human rights record by western powers.
01 Dec 2015, 09:00
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