Politics

Government proposes new media regulatory body

A ruling party lawmaker has proposed legislation for the creation of a new media regulatory body after dissolving the existing broadcasting commission and media council.

MP Didi’s new lawyer gets two weeks to prepare for terrorism trial

The retired brigadier general’s trial has been stalled since August after his first lawyer was suspended over a judicial reform petition. A second lawyer withdrew from the case earlier this month for personal reasons.

Imran and Faris taken back to jail

Adhaalath Party leader Sheikh Imran Abdulla and MP Faris Maumoon were abruptly taken back to Maafushi jail Saturday after short periods under house arrest.

Anti-graft watchdog seeks to recover US$84m

The 43 counts of “recompensing government loss” was among 239 charges forwarded to the Prosecutor General’s office in the third quarter of 2017.

State asks to anonymise witnesses in Faris identity fraud trial

State prosecutors asked the criminal court Sunday to anonymise two witnesses on the grounds that they could lose their jobs if they testify openly in the identity fraud trial of MP Faris Maumoon.

Nasheed calls for interim leader in 2018

An interim government should reform the judiciary and pave the way for free and fair elections, the exiled opposition leader said.

Yameen dials up campaign rhetoric

The PPM’s first major rally in months was marred by reports of forced attendance by civil servants and employees of state-owned companies, whose attendance was marked upon entrance at a security check-point.

IPU deeply concerned over human rights violations against Maldives lawmakers

The Inter-Parliamentary Union “regretted that the mandates of seven parliamentarians had been revoked in the absence of any legal basis under Maldivian law. It also raised the alarm about the increased militarization of the physical premises of the parliament.”

MP Faris seeks temporary suspension of bribery trial

The MP for Dhiggaru constituency will lose his seat if he is found guilty.

Prisons authority threatens action against slander

The Maldives Correctional Service denied attempting to coerce Ahmed Adeeb’s family to give consent for administering an injection to the jailed former vice president.

Dhonis and hashtags for Maldives UN Security Council bid

While the Maldives foreign ministry announced the country’s candidacy back in 2016, a new website, animated video and three hashtags have been launched to support its Security Council campaign.

Ex-PPM councillor facing prison sentence declares support for Yameen

“I have withdrawn the support I gave for President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom in the political arena since 2008,” declared Zaidul Ameen, who has been in and out of jail since January.

Anti-graft NGO resumes campaign for MP asset declaration

The constitution requires them to annually submit to the parliament’s secretary-general “a statement of all property and monies owned by him, business interests and liabilities” but the documents are not released to the public.

Adeeb refuses injection over fear of assassination plot

Adeeb’s family said the prisons authority’s push to give him the injection ostensibly for a CT scan was “suspicious” because his lawyers were previously tipped off to an alleged plot to assassinate the 35-year-old in custody.

Opposition protest outside Maldivian Embassy in Sri Lanka

“We are gathered near the embassy in Colombo with about 50 people and five MPs against various human rights violations at home, after taking necessary permissions from the Sri Lankan government,” said MP Mahloof.

MP Faris temporarily moved to house arrest

Maldives defends Saudi Arabia over UN report on killing Yemen children

The Maldives mission in New York claimed that “the allegations levelled against the [Saudi-led] coalition were based not on first-hand observation by the officials of the United Nations, but regrettably, on reports by various other parties, including NGOs.”

Yameen condemns opposition’s ‘anarchist, ruinous ideology’

Accusing the opposition of “advocating the destruction of institutions” and “calling for attacks against the police and military”, Yameen said: “These aren’t characteristics of democracy. Political leaders cannot openly criticise the courts and the judiciary.”

Finance ministry under fire for party funding delay

The Political Parties Act mandates the issue of state funds to parties with members over 10,000 within the first three months of the year.

JP mulls primaries as part of reform efforts

The opposition Jumhooree Party (JP) is mulling the idea of presidential primaries and regional branches as part of reform efforts.