Politics

MDP meets new police chief, discusses November 6 protest

The police had said in a statement that the acting police chief met with representatives from the MDP yesterday and asked them to reconsider plans to stage a mass protest on November 6 “given the present state of affairs in the country”.

No evidence of bomb on Yameen’s speedboat, says FBI

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has found no evidence an explosive device caused the blast on President Abdulla Yameen’s speedboat, the Wall Street Journal has reported.

Maldives downplays FBI findings on boat blast

Although the FBI had found no evidence of an explosive on President Abdulla Yameen’s speedboat, the government insisted that analysis by Sri Lankans and Saudis, and evidence gathered by Maldives security forces provide enough proof of a bomb plot.

Police officers asked to stay clear of politics on social media

“We will be taking action against police officers who comment, like, share or re-tweet political posts, photos or publish political posts in social media,” Assistant Commissioner Ahmed Mohamed informed departments heads last week.

Missing weapons from state armoury ‘a national security failure’

President Abdulla Yameen as the commander-in-chief must bear full responsibility for weapons that went missing from the state armoury, the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has said. The military has acknowledged that a rifle and a submachine gun found in a weapons cache discovered on Friday in the lagoon of an uninhabited island in Baa atoll were from its armoury.

Hunt declared for eight suspects in boat blast probe

Mohamed Allam Latheef ‘Moho,’ a close associate of the vice president and the singer of a popular local band, is wanted by the police on suspicion of links to an alleged attempt to assassinate the president. The police said that Latheef has links to a weapons cache discovered on an island leased for resort development.

Social media celebrity, loyal to Adeeb, arrested in Sri Lanka

The police have confirmed Ahmed Ashraf, aka Shumba Gong’s arrest. The 18-year-old had tweeted that he was in danger and that “some people smashed my doors trying to come in.”

Court to hear appeal of vice president’s detention today

The High Court will review today Vice President Ahmed Adeeb’s detention on suspicion of links to an alleged assassination attempt on President Abdulla Yameen. The hearing is scheduled for 4:45pm.

Human rights watchdog calls for review of anti-terrorism law

Firearms found in ‘bomb plot raid’ belong to the Maldives army

A rifle and a submachine gun discovered under water in a raid over an alleged assassination attempt on President Abdulla Yameen are firearms that had gone missing from the state armory, the security forces have revealed.

Maldives security forces seize weapons cache

The Maldives security forces have seized a large cache of weapons including firearms, grenades and improvised explosive devices from an island leased for resort development. The arms cache was submerged 42 meters under the water on Hibalhidhoo Island in central Baa Atoll.

Security forces conduct late-night raids for weapons in Malé

Armed soldiers and police officers have entered at least three houses in Malé tonight in search of weapons. The ongoing raids are part of the investigation into an explosion on President Abdulla Yameen’s speedboat.

Businessman, arrested in Malaysia over ‘bomb plot,’ deported

Hamid Ismail, a relative of detained Vice President Ahmed Adeeb, was arrested from a condominium in Kuala Lumpur on October 28, along with four other Maldivians. He was deported today.

After social media outcry, government vows not to abuse anti-terrorism law

Home Minister Umar Naseer has vowed that the government “will not abuse” the Anti Terrorism Act in the wake of a public outcry over fears that the law could be used to prosecute dissidents.

Foreign minister briefs Colombo diplomats on Maldives crisis

Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon is in Colombo to brief the diplomatic community on Vice President Ahmed Adeeb’s arrest on suspicion of links to a blast on President Abdulla Yameen’s speedboat.

Adeeb formally notified of impeachment vote

The People’s Majlis has formally notified detained Vice President Ahmed Adeeb of a motion to impeach him, lawyer Hussain Shameem has said.

Ex-minister released, Hamid remains detained in Malaysia

Ex cabinet minister Mohamed Hussain Shareef has been released from police custody in Malaysia, but Hamid Ismail, an influential businessman wanted on suspicion of links to an explosion on President Abdulla Yameen’s speedboat, remains detained, credible sources have confirmed.

Maldives urged to sign Arms Trade Treaty

Raising concern over a government deal for a private armory in the Maldives, a parliamentarian has called on the government to sign the UN’s Arms Trade Treaty (ATT).

Police continue raids on islands leased for resort development

A police spokesperson confirmed that Baa Hibalhidhoo was searched in a joint operation conducted with assistance from the military, but declined to reveal further details. The island is leased for resort development to a local company called Lets Go Maldives.

Vice president’s post ‘unsuited’ to Maldives

The Maldives’ recent history has shown that the post of the vice president is unsuited to the country, ruling party MP Ahmed Nihan has said, suggesting that political turmoil arising from the vice president’s ambition needs to be addressed through constitutional amendments.