Politics
Sri Lankan ‘sniper’ was arrested on charge of bribery
A Sri Lankan national that the Maldives government claims had attempted to assassinate President Abdulla Yameen with a firearm was arrested not on a charge of attempted murder, but on a charge of “distributing money to groups and attempting to create unrest,” according to a reliable source.
09 Nov 2015, 09:00
Raajje TV resumes politics coverage ‘for the sake of viewers’
Raajje TV’s chief operating officer said the station decided to resume regular broadcasts last night for the sake of its viewers despite failed attempts to seek assurances from the authorities. The media regulatory body had threatened to revoke licenses of TV stations that air content deemed to pose a threat to national security.
09 Nov 2015, 09:00
Expulsion of ‘bomb plot suspect’ from Sri Lanka sparks diplomatic row
The expulsion of an 18-year-old Maldivian man from Sri Lanka on the request of the authorities here has sparked a diplomatic row. Sri Lanka’s foreign ministry has summoned High Commissioner Zahiya Zareer to express its displeasure, according to media reports.
08 Nov 2015, 09:00
World Cup qualifier to take place in Maldives despite state of emergency
The Hong Kong Football Association’s chairman said the Maldivian defence ministry has assured the Hong Kong team’s safety to FIFA “as the state of emergency is declared only to cope with the demonstration in their country this weekend.” The constitutional right to freedom of assembly was suspended two days ahead of a mass protest planned by the main opposition party.
08 Nov 2015, 09:00
Midnight raids for weapons continue in Malé
According to local media, the police confiscated a pistol from the Thoathaage house in the Manchangoalhi ward of the capital. However, the suspected weapon reportedly turned out to a toy pistol that shoots plastic beads. The police raided three homes in Malé last night amidst an ongoing 30-day nationwide state of emergency declared over fears of imminent attacks.
08 Nov 2015, 09:00
Supreme Court threatens lawyers with ‘legal action’ for contempt of court
“As false and misleading statements are being made by various parties, without attempting to reach the truth of the matter, and in a way that causes loss of the confidence the public has in the Maldivian judiciary, we remind at this opportunity that legal action will be taken against such people,” the Supreme Court said.
08 Nov 2015, 09:00
MDP defies state of emergency with food parties
In an interview with The New York Times, Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon acknowledged that one aim of declaring a state of emergency was to stop the MDP’s mass protest, claiming it “might lead to violence and possible use of explosive devices or weapons that we know are out there.”
08 Nov 2015, 09:00
Lawyer barred from visiting former vice president in jail
Police have barred lawyer of impeached vice president Ahmed Adeeb from prison visits, after the Supreme Court suspended his license to appear in courts. The apex court has since seized the authority to issue law licenses.
07 Nov 2015, 09:00
First Lady, injured in boat blast, released from hospital
Maldives First Lady Fathimath Ibrahim was released from hospital on Friday, more than a month after being admitted for injuries to her spine caused by an explosion on the presidential speedboat.
07 Nov 2015, 09:00
Maldives police deny obstructing press freedom
At a midnight press conference, the police said it “regrets” accusations of “obstructing media” following a raid on Sangu TV offices. Assistant Commissioner Nawaz said police officers have “not committed any act to date that could obstruct press freedom”.
07 Nov 2015, 09:00
Popular TV station suspends coverage after journalists’ arrest
Opposition aligned Raajje TV station has suspended coverage of political affairs following the brief detention of a fourth journalist today amidst an unprecedented nationwide state of emergency.
06 Nov 2015, 09:00
Vice president’s impeachment ‘unconstitutional,’ contends lawyer
Ahmed Adeeb’s lawyer contends that the president does not have the power to reduce the constitutionally-mandated period for the vice president to respond to charges from 14 days to seven days by declaring a state of emergency. Several prominent lawyers as well as the main opposition party concurs.
06 Nov 2015, 09:00
EU, Commonwealth join chorus of concern over state of emergency
“It is essential that all constitutional fundamental rights and freedoms are immediately restored and that due process of law is respected. A genuine dialogue with all political parties on the future of the country needs to be established,” the European Union said in a statement.
06 Nov 2015, 09:00
Police crash MDP ’emergency tea party,’ make arrests
At least 50 police officers today cordoned off the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party’s campaign offices and dispersed hundreds of supporters gathered for a tea party, held instead of a protest which was cancelled because of the ongoing state of emergency.
06 Nov 2015, 09:00
Maldives police raid private TV station at midnight
The court warrant authorising the raid on Sangu TV stated that the police are seeking evidence related to a “video message uploaded to YouTube threatening to kill the president of the Maldives and senior officials of the state, and to carry out terrorist attacks.”
06 Nov 2015, 09:00
World not convinced of need for Maldives emergency
International human rights groups and the governments of the UK and the US have urged the Maldives to revoke a nationwide state of emergency and restore full constitutional freedoms.
05 Nov 2015, 09:00
Impeached vice president facing corruption, illegal weapons charges
Impeached Vice President Ahmed Adeeb is now facing prosecution on charges of bribing police officers into divulging state secrets and smuggling weapons, the police have said.
05 Nov 2015, 09:00
Maldives parliament votes to impeach vice president – as it happened
The Maldives parliament impeached today Vice President Ahmed Adeeb in an abrupt vote scheduled a day after an unprecedented state of emergency was declared in the island nation.
05 Nov 2015, 09:00
Parliament approves declaration of state of emergency
The parliament today approved President Abdulla Yameen’s declaration of a 30-day state of emergency in the face of criticism from opposition MPs. The unprecedented nationwide state of emergency was approved with 58 votes in favour, 14 votes against, and three abstentions.
05 Nov 2015, 09:00
US lawmakers in bid to gain Congress backing for Nasheed’s release
A bipartisan coalition of 13 top US lawmakers, in a resolution submitted to the Congress, have called on the Maldives to free former President Mohamed Nasheed, imprisoned in March on a terrorism charge.
04 Nov 2015, 09:00
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