Politics

Security forces descend on Villigili for Yameen visit

Hundreds of police and soldiers descended on Gaafu Alif atoll Villingili ahead of a visit from President Abdulla Yameen, cracking down on opposition protesters by removing banners and placards.

Gasim unable to return after 20-day medical leave, says family

“He actually cannot leave. As doctors have not authorised for him to fly, the airlines are refusing to sell tickets for him. We also requested that the MCS medical board review their decision,” said defence lawyer Hisaan Hussain.

Judge refuses to release MP Faris as bribery trial begins

At today’s preliminary hearing, the MP for Dhiggaru pleaded not guilty to the bribery charge after sparring with the state prosecutor, who was unable to say when he gave the bribe or how much money was involved.

Heightened security at Maldives airport ‘a precautionary measure’

Local media has meanwhile reported the arrest of a Maldivian on suspicion of planning a terrorist attack in collaboration with the Islamic State militant group.

Parliament restroom catches fire again

The military’s firemen put out flames inside the parliament building in the early hours of Sunday after a dustbin and tissue box at a restroom caught fire.

Fenaka audit exposes rampant corruption at utility corporation

A special audit flagged several suspicious transactions that unduly benefited private parties, including the purchase of dollars from businesses without money exchange licenses, the purchase of diesel at inflated prices, and the awarding of lucrative projects without a fair bidding process.

Yameen launches ‘Y18 Sports Fiesta’ for re-election campaign

The ‘Y18 Sports Fiesta’ organised by the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives as part of his 2018 re-election campaign.

Suspension lifted for 13 lawyers

Ambassador to Sri Lanka stands by threat to detain Nasheed

The ambassador-designate’s remarks prompted the opposition leader’s high-profile counsel Amal Clooney to warn that “any attempt by a Maldivian diplomat to detain President Nasheed in Sri Lanka would constitute a violation of international law as well as Sri Lankan criminal law.”

Maldives absence from UN vote on mass atrocities draws fierce criticism

“As powerful nations are allowed to intervene in domestic affairs of nations in the name of the Responsibility to Protect or R2P principle, the Maldives decided a very long time ago not to participate in votes at the UN general assembly aimed at taking action under R2P,” the foreign ministry said.

State revises charges against MP Faris

The Prosecutor General’s office has revised charges raised against MP Faris Maumoon from accepting bribes to offering to bribe fellow lawmakers to back the impeachment of the speaker.

Supreme Court urged to lift mass suspension of lawyers

“None of the 56 lawyers has been allowed to exercise their right to defend themselves or be heard before a disciplinary action,” noted the International Commission of Jurists, Transparency International, Forum Asia, and Frontline Defenders together with local NGO Maldivian Democracy Network.

Maldives decries UN human rights chief’s criticism over crackdown on dissent

In his opening statement Monday at the UN Human Rights Council’s 36th session in Geneva, Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussain said the Maldivian government was “increasingly cracking down on critical views” and expressed concern about “reports of continued violations of the right to a fair trial, and allegations of political bias by the judiciary and law enforcement authorities.”

Party talks flounder over release of opposition leaders

Proposed talks between the government and opposition have collapsed with both sides blaming the other for the failure to resolve a protracted political crisis through dialogue.

54 lawyers suspended over ‘unlawful’ judicial reform petition

The four-party opposition coalition reacted to the unprecedented mass suspension by calling on the international community to consider imposing targeted travel and financial sanctions on Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed.

US concerned with ‘status of rule of law and democracy’ in Maldives

The Maldives has produced more terrorists who have fought in Iraq and Syria than any other country in the world,” Acting Assistant Secretary Alice Wells told a congressional committee hearing on ‘Maintaining US influence in South Asia.’

Gasim departs for Singapore on 10-day medical leave

The 67-year-old business tycoon was allowed to leave with a travel document nearly two weeks after he was found guilty of attempted bribery and sentenced to more than three years in prison.

Ex-PPM MP stripped of seat

The former Jumhooree Party MP expressed defiance on social media and insisted that he “remain in the post [that I was] elected to by the people in accordance with the constitution”.

Maldives severs trade ties with Myanmar

The Maldives expressed concern with “the recent cycle of violence that resulted in the death of dozens of Rohingya Muslims and displacing several thousands.”

Lawyers slam ‘shameful’ treatment of Gasim

Despite assurances from Home Minister Azleen Ahmed last week that medical leave will be authorised within days, the Attorney General’s office appealed the part of Gasim’s verdict that ordered the authorities to arrange treatment abroad.