Politics

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.

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”.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Supreme Court suspends Vice President’s lawyer

The Supreme Court has suspended detained Vice President Ahmed Adeeb’s lawyer, Hussain Shameem, on a charge of contempt of court.

Maldives declares state of emergency – as it happened

The declaration comes two days ahead of a mass protest planned by the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). Several constitutional rights and freedoms as well as the 2013 Freedom of Assembly Act has been suspended.

PPM confident of impeaching vice president without MDP support

The ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives says it is confident of impeaching Vice President Ahmed Adeeb without the main opposition party’s backing.

Police accused of beating three Raajje TV journalists

The opposition-aligned Raajje TV has alleged that three of the station’s journalists arrested while covering last night’s bomb scare were beaten by police. The criminal court ordered the police to release the journalists at a remand hearing this afternoon.

President warns Maldivians to be wary of ‘traitorous plotters’

In his address to the nation on the occasion of Victory Day – celebrated annually on November 3 to commemorate a failed coup attempt in 1988 – Yameen assured the public of efforts to ensure security after a weapons cache, including firearms and explosives, was discovered submerged in the lagoon of an uninhabited island leased for resort development.

Vice President loses remand appeal

Vice President Ahmed Adeeb remains in custody after losing an appeal of his detention over suspicion of links to an alleged assassination attempt on President Abdulla Yameen.

Maldives army defuse presidential palace bomb

Bomb squad officers defused tonight a homemade bomb found on vehicle parked near the presidential palace in Malé. President Abdulla Yameen, who prefers to live at his private residence, only uses Muleeaage for official meetings.

Parliamentary rules changed to expedite budget approval