Politics

Councillor suspensions challenged at High Court

The Local Government Authority’s suspension of councillors was challenged at the High Court last week as four more opposition councillors were told to stay home.

‘State of necessity’ invoked to pass laws without constitutional quorum

The Attorney General’s office asked the Supreme Court to rule that parliament can pass laws without a constitutional quorum when lawmakers boycott votes.

MP Mahloof released to house arrest

The criminal court placed the opposition spokesman under house arrest for the duration of an upcoming trial on terrorism charges raised for protesting outside the high-security Maafushi jail.

India asked to take back gifted helicopter

Maldives wants a Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft to replace the “Dhruv” Advanced Light Helicopter, the Times of India reported.

Pakistan army chief departs

During the official visit, Bajwa paid a courtesy call on President Abdulla Yameen, who “expressed hope and confidence that the Maldives and Pakistan will continue working together on bilateral and international issues of common concern.”

MP Mahloof remanded for five more days

The independent lawmaker is accused of obstruction of police duty for distributing masks during an opposition protest last month, a charge that carries a jail sentence of four months and 24 days.

Pakistan army chief arrives in Maldives

The rare visit comes amid frayed India-Maldives ties after public disputes over the exercise of emergency powers, prompting speculation in Indian media that it is a “political signal” from the regional rival.

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.