Politics


Indian High Commissioner to Maldives transferred to Denmark
The Indian High Commissioner of India to the Maldives Shri Rajeev Shahare has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Denmark, the Indian external affairs ministry has said.
15 Aug 2015, 9:00 AM


New US ambassador to Maldives takes oath of office
The 44-year-old Indian-American was sworn yesterday, becoming only the second US diplomat of Indian origin to be posted to the South Asia region.
13 Aug 2015, 9:00 AM


PG appeals Nasheed’s terrorism conviction at High Court
The Prosecutor General’s (PG) office has appealed former President Mohamed Nasheed’s conviction on terrorism charges at the High Court.
13 Aug 2015, 9:00 AM


Only ruling party MPs can propose bills on taxes, state expenditure
The ruling party dominated People’s Majlis amended today its standing orders to prevent opposition MPs from submitting legislation relating to taxes and public finance.
12 Aug 2015, 9:00 AM


Courts ordered to clear backlog in one month
Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed today ordered all courts to clear backlog of long-pending cases within one month. Lawyers say the move is “practically impossible.”
12 Aug 2015, 9:00 AM


Government rejects calls for third-party mediation in talks
The President’s Office rejected today a call by MDP to seek third-party mediation in talks, saying it does not want “foreign parties to intervene in domestic affairs of the Maldives.” Talks have been stalled since mid-July.
12 Aug 2015, 9:00 AM


Majlis approves ex MP of ruling party to human rights watchdog
The parliament today approved former MP Shifaq Mufeed, Aishath Afreen Mohamed, and Aminath Eenas to the Human Rights of Commission of the Maldives (HRCM).
11 Aug 2015, 9:00 AM


Street protests could be labeled terrorism by new bill, contends MDP
In a document listing issues of concern with the draft legislation the MDP argued that the definition of terrorism is too broad and could be used as a catch-all provision.
11 Aug 2015, 9:00 AM


Criminal court urged to expedite Imran’s trial
Prosecutor General Muhthaz Muhsin has written to the criminal court urging it to expedite a terrorism trial against Sheikh Imran Abdulla, indicted on terrorism and held without trial for two months.
10 Aug 2015, 9:00 AM


President’s ‘fear of black magic’ behind felling of trees and changes to traffic flow
Major changes to traffic flow in central Malé, the uprooting of old trees at the Republic Square and the removal of a monument at the Sultan Park have fuelled speculation that the sudden changes were caused by President Abdulla Yameen’s alleged fear of black magic and sorcery.
10 Aug 2015, 9:00 AM


State yet to appeal Nasheed’s terrorism conviction
The Prosecutor General’s (PG) Office is yet to appeal former President Mohamed Nasheed’s terrorism conviction, despite nearly three weeks passing since the announcement of intent to appeal.
10 Aug 2015, 9:00 AM


Opposition MPs concerned over failure to summon ministers for questioning
At today’s sitting, MDP MPs representing constituencies in Addu City, Rozaina Adam and Ali Nizar, raised points of order and noted that ministers have not appeared for questioning despite a backlog of queries submitted by opposition MPs dating back to the first session of year.
10 Aug 2015, 9:00 AM


Lawyers concerned over Nazim’s health, delays in Imran’s trial
Husnu Suood, who represents Nazim and Imran, said doctors suspect damage to Nazim’s kidneys and have recommended that he should be kept in a stress-free or home environment to undergo heart tests. Imran’s terrorism trial remains stalled due to a construction of a new hall at the criminal court, he said.
09 Aug 2015, 9:00 AM


Adeeb in Malta on second leg of official trip
Vice President Ahmed Adeeb met with the President of Malta Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca on Saturday, and presented a letter from President Abdulla Yameen.
09 Aug 2015, 9:00 AM


In letter to Modi, Yameen pledges to keep Indian Ocean demilitarized
President Abdulla Yameen, in a letter to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has assured India that Maldives will keep the Indian Ocean demilitarized and will not allow foreign military bases in the Maldives, report Indian media.
09 Aug 2015, 9:00 AM


Youth group launches campaign calling for public referendum on foreign freeholds
Mabrook Azeez, a member of the ‘Heylaa’ (Awake) youth group, said the gathering was planned as “a networking event” to share views on the issue, enlist participants, and plan the campaign against allowing foreign investors to own land in the Maldives.
08 Aug 2015, 9:00 AM


Journalist’s family marks one year of disappearance with moment of silence
Meanwhile, New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has sent a letter to President Abdulla Yameen calling on the government to ensure a credible and independent investigation into the journalist’s disappearance.
08 Aug 2015, 9:00 AM


Missing journalist’s family pepper sprayed at ‘Question March’
Police officers obstructed a march held in Malé today by family and friends of missing Minivan News journalist Ahmed Rilwan, pepper spraying family members at the front line and arresting one relative.
08 Aug 2015, 9:00 AM


Verdict in airport protest delayed for a second time
The Criminal Court has delayed for the second time a verdict against some 15 opposition supporters of charged with protesting in March at the restricted Malé international airport.
06 Aug 2015, 9:00 AM


Imran taken back into police custody
The Adhaalath Party president’s transfer to prison, just a day after the criminal court chief judge placed him under house arrest, was based on a secret intelligence report and points to a rift within the criminal court.
06 Aug 2015, 9:00 AM

