Politics

Opposition undaunted by jailing of leaders: Ibu

Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who was freed Wednesday after nearly two weeks in police custody, said he was able to talk with other detainees arrested under emergency powers through his cells partition.

IPU ‘praised’ Maldives, reports state media, despite calls to reinstate 12 MPs

No mention was made of the IPU’s calls to immediately reinstate 12 MPs and withdraw obstruction charges raised against 12 opposition lawmakers for entering parliament.

Senior state lawyer resigns over state of emergency

Mariyam Shunana had been critical about a state of emergency that was declared on February 5, with local media reporting she was under scrutiny for her tweets.

Sangu TV slapped with MVR100,000 defamation fine

MP Musthafa defamed President Yameen when he said the present administration has “introduced nothing but theft to the country”, the Maldives Broadcasting Commission concluded following an inquiry.

More than 30 people still in police detention

‘Criminal intent’ no reason to nullify Supreme Court order

The state attorney asked the court to rescind its February 1 order to reinstate 12 MPs on the grounds that it was issued with the criminal intent of toppling the government.

Cheers and jeers as lawmaker freed

There are concerns about the drain on police resources since a state of emergency was declared.

Home minister slams opposition councils

Azleen Ahmed criticised opposition-dominated local councils that had urged the authorities to execute a Supreme Court order for the release of jailed politicians.

Arson and death threats ahead of UN visit

Ruling party and opposition supporters blamed each other for the fire.

China a ‘long-lost cousin’ of the Maldives

The Maldives’ ambassador to China said the country’s foreign policy was based on working with everyone and that all of its neighbours were “brothers and sisters.”

Maldives rebukes India’s ‘unhelpful’ call to release prisoners

India called on the Maldivian authorities to “to implement the Supreme Court’s Full Bench order of 1 February 2018 and to support a genuine political dialogue with all opposition parties.”

Maldives state of emergency lifted

The 45-day emergency rule was ended effective Thursday noon despite “a diminished threat to national security, because the nation can now continue without further losses incurred, and upon the advice of the security services and in an effort to promote normalcy.”

MDP leaders released from detention under emergency powers

Leadership figures were arrested in the buildup to the March 16 mass protest after police alleged there were plans to overthrow the government by inciting unrest and violence in the capital.

Police dismantles Ihavandhoo opposition hut

Ihavandhoo island council president Mohamed Rasheed, who live-streamed the police team in action, suggested the authorities were vexed because people were gathering there to watch the opposition-aligned Raajje TV.

Opposition parliament leader remanded for nine days

Ibrahim Mohamed Solih was arrested under the state of emergency, which deprives detainees of the right to be taken before a judge within 24 hours, but was later accused of entering the restricted Republic Square and obstructing police duty.

Eight more councillors suspended

The eight island councillors from Milandhoo, Hithadhoo and Gahdhoo join 17 councillors punished the previous day for calling on the authorities to execute a Supreme Court order to release political prisoners.

Maldives state of emergency detainees charged with terrorism

A former president, two judges, four lawmakers and the police chief conspired to instigate a coup with a Supreme Court order for the release of nine prisoners, the Prosecutor General’s office said Tuesday night, revealing charges against 11 suspects.

Supreme Court to rule on constitutionality of disputed laws

The Supreme Court concluded hearings Tuesday to decide whether it will hear the opposition’s challenge to the constitutionality of two controversial bills ratified last week.

17 opposition councillors suspended

Elected representatives from six opposition-dominated councils were suspended for urging the execution of a Supreme Court order for the release of political prisoners last month.

Anti-government protest subdued with mass arrests and tear gas

A much-anticipated opposition demonstration on Friday night was suppressed with mass arrests and tear gas fired to keep protesters out of the capital’s Republic Square.