Politics

Lawyers request Criminal Court to rule Nasheed’s detention arbitrary

Former President Mohamed Nasheed’s lawyers have requested the criminal court to rule his transfer from house arrest to a high security prison as illegal and arbitrary.

Official accused of corruption appointed to human rights watchdog

The parliament today appointed a former government official accused of defrauding the state of MVR24million (US$1.55million) to the Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM).

Former President Nasheed taken back to jail

Former President Mohamed Nasheed has been taken back to jail by prison guards acting with Specialist Operations (SO) police officers, eight weeks after the opposition leader was transferred to house arrest.

Sexual harassment within Maldives Police Service under-reported

A quarter of women police officers interviewed for the study -“Rough Roads to Equality: Women Police in South Asia” by the New Delhi-based Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) – said they had faced harassment, but only half referred the incident to a higher authority.

First Lady plans symposium to launch Yameen’s re-election campaign

First Lady Fathmath Ibrahim is planning a symposium in September to “prepare leaders” for President Abdulla Yameen’s 2018 re-election campaign. The ruling party is not involved in the initiative.

US Congress members join chorus against Yameen’s regime

Four members of the United States Congress have written a letter to President Abdulla Yameen, demanding former President Mohamed Nasheed’s release and expressing concern over the apparent deterioration of democracy in the Maldives.

Home minister to decide on extension of Nasheed’s house arrest

“We have forwarded all of Nasheed’s medical records and the doctors recommendations to the home minister. He now will decide on extension of house arrest,” Commissioner of Prisons Mohamed Husham told The Maldives Independent today.

More than 100 new lawyers awaiting Supreme Court permit to practice law

The attorney general’s office (AG) licensed some 103 lawyers in June. However, under regulations enacted in June 2012, lawyers need a second permit from the Supreme Court before they can represent clients at courts.

Nasheed’s sentence was not commuted to house arrest, says Attorney General’s office

Former President Mohamed Nasheed’s 13-year jail term on a terrorism conviction was not commuted to house arrest, the Attorney General’s Office has said, raising fears that Nasheed may once again be transferred to prison.

Housing ministry takes over more of city council’s office space

The opposition-dominated city council moved its main office to the Huravee building after its eviction from the city hall in April. The housing ministry has now ordered the council to remove its furniture, filing cabinets, and documents from half of the ground floor office space.

Judicial watchdog tight-lipped on suspension of civil court judge

The watchdog Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has suspended Civil Court Judge Mariyam Nihayath indefinitely, but has declined to reveal details of the complaint.

Staff dismissed after vowing to ‘confront’ vice president

“I will confront anyone who criticizes President Yameen, you cannot tell me who I should confront. I have no problem confronting even the Vice President for President Yameen,” Sharif is heard saying in an audio clip posted by the opposition-aligned Raajje TV.

Parliament to consider mandatory Shariah punishments

Nasheed’s lawyers, including Amal Clooney, to visit Maldives in September

The international legal team representing former President Mohamed Nasheed, including Amal Clooney, are set to visit the Maldives in early September.

Vilimalé health centre upgraded to tertiary hospital

The health centre in the capital’s suburb Vilimalé has been upgraded and reopened as a tertiary hospital.

Jailed ex-defence minister seeks Supreme Court order to expedite appeal

An appeal of Nazim’s 11-year jail sentence on weapons smuggling charges remains stalled at the High Court after the Supreme Court transferred two judges on the five-judge-panel to a newly created branch in the south.

PPM MP proposes authority for president to alter penalties for convicts

The parliament today accepted for consideration changes proposed to the Clemency Act to grant authority to the president to alter the type of punishment for convicts.

State to allocate office space for PPM and MDP

The parliament today amended the Political Parties Act, mandating the state to allocate office space or plots of land to political parties with more than 20,000 members.

Maldives extends Independence Day greetings to India

The government and main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) have extended greetings to the Indian government and people on the occasion of the country’s Independence Day (August 15).

Committee sets 10,000-member threshold for political party funding

The parliament’s independent institutions committee has approved amendments proposed to the Political Parties Act to set a threshold of 10,000 registered members for political parties to be eligible for state funding.