Politics

Government tight-lipped over rumors of a pardon for Nasheed

Attorney General Mohamed Anil today dampened talk of an imminent pardon for former president Mohamed Nasheed and the commutation of ex defense minister Mohamed Nazim’s jail sentence to house arrest, saying he is yet to receive any information on the matter.

Gayoom’s call for referendum on foreign freeholds dismissed

Dismissing former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s call for a public referendum on foreign freeholds in the Maldives, vice president Ahmed Adeeb said today: “The former president has raised his personal concerns. But the president of Maldives today is President Abdulla Yameen.”

STO cautions against panic buying as hundreds queue for petrol

Nine hour power cut in Malé caused by damaged switch gear

The State Electricity Company (STELCO) has said that a power outage in the Galolhu ward of Malé around 1:00am last night was caused by a damaged switch gear at a distribution centre in Lily Magu. The power cut lasted more than nine hours and followed STELCO warning of intermittent cuts in the capital after one of two main 8MW generators at the power plant was damaged.

Jailed ex-defense minister brought to Malé for medical treatment

Rumors swirled in Malé that the retired colonel’s 11 year jail-term may be commuted to house arrest, as part of ongoing negotiations between the opposition and the government. But a family member said Nazim was taken back to the low-security ‘Asseyri’ jail in Himmafaushi about an hour after his doctor’s consultation.

Majlis approves foreign freeholds in second amendment to constitution

Some 70 MPs voted to allow foreigners to own land in the Maldives. Opposing MPs expressed concern over lack of public debate and say the amendments paves the way for Chinese military expansion in the Maldives. The second constitutional amendment was approved within 24 hours of it being submitted to the Majlis.

Amendments raise fear of Chinese military expansion in the Maldives

Proposed constitutional amendments to allow foreign ownership of land in the Maldives will allow China to establish military facilities in the Maldives and destabilize the Indian Ocean, a source within the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has said.

Majlis votes overwhelming ‘Yes’ to Adeeb

My life was under threat, says former vice president

Accusing President Abdulla Yameen and MPs of treachery and destroying the constitutional order, impeached vice president Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed said he had received threats to his life when he refused to resign.

Parliament impeaches Vice President Dr Jameel in absentia

Vice president’s lawyer barred from impeachment proceedings

The People’s Majlis has barred vice president Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed’s lawyer from responding to charges on his behalf before an impeachment vote at tomorrow’s parliament sitting.

Ex president’s lawyer denied work visa

Jared Genser, a member of former president Mohamed Nasheed’s international legal team was denied a business visa upon his arrival in the Maldives today.

PPM MPs slam Commonwealth ‘bullying’ as opposition MPs warn against isolation

President Abdulla Yameen had sought parliament’s counsel on the country’s membership of the Commonwealth following lobbying efforts for an assessment of Maldives’ alleged violations of the organisation’s principles with the imprisonment of opposition politicians, including former President Mohamed Nasheed.

Quitting Commonwealth will be “a huge mistake,” says vice president

“We should never allow the heat of politics to cause long lasting damage to national interests,” vice president Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed said ahead of a parliament debate on quitting the Commonwealth today.

President requests Majlis counsel on leaving Commonwealth

PPM MPs held a meeting with President Abdulla Yameen, the attorney general and the tourism minister today after the president requested parliamentary counsel on leaving the Commonwealth. The matter is up for debate at the parliament tomorrow.

Bill proposes criminalizing ‘expressions contrary to national interest and Islamic tenets’

A draft freedom of expression legislation – obtained by Minivan News – states that four types of “expressions contrary to national interest” will constitute criminal offences: encouraging harm to a person or damage to private party, calling for the illegal overthrow of the government, threatening the country’s independence, sovereignty, and security, and accusing a person of committing a hadd offence without conclusive evidence.

Power shortages may affect plans to light up Malé on Independence Day

Power shortages may spoil the government’s plans to light up the capital Malé City on Independence Day, STELCO has said. A crucial 8MW generator is down at the power plant due to an unexpected failure and may take up to two weeks to repair.

‘Drug trafficker’ acquitted on lapses highlighted in former president’s trial

Council ‘defied’ court order to change un-Islamic Eid banner

The Villigili magistrate court ordered the island’s council to change the phrasing on banners put up on behalf of ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) Saud Hussain, which read, “MP Saud’s Eid Happiness.”

Afrasheem murder suspect’s departure to Syria under investigation

President Abdulla Yameen has ordered the police to launch an investigation into how a suspect in the murder of MP Afrasheem Ali was allowed to leave the Maldives and travel to Syria in early January.