Politics
Supreme Court hears appeals from disqualified lawmakers
The Supreme Court has begun hearing appeals from four former ruling party lawmakers contentiously deemed to have been stripped of their seats by the Elections Commission.
09 Aug 2017, 09:00
Maldives ready for executions in September, president declares
The Maldives will be ready to carry out the first executions in more than 60 years next month, President Abdulla Yameen declared Sunday amid growing international concern over the reintroduction of the death penalty.
07 Aug 2017, 09:00
Gasim’s bribery trial on hold after hospitalisation
The court threatened to proceed with the trial in absentia but the hearing was cancelled after neither Gasim nor his legal counsel showed up.
07 Aug 2017, 09:00
People of Meedhoo march for murdered youth
Hundreds of people clad in black and carrying banners and placards came out in solidarity with grieving family and friends. The walk ended with an emotional prayer and the signing of a petition to the authorities.
06 Aug 2017, 09:00
Opposition holds protest marches in southern atolls
Opposition supporters in the capital and five southern islands took to the streets calling for the release of four lawmakers detained after the collapse of the government’s majority in parliament.
05 Aug 2017, 09:00
Minister under fire for blaming murders on opposition
“We cannot accept arson and the murder of our youth aimed at disrupting peace in the greed for power @maumoonagayoom,” the minister tweeted Monday after a 25-year-old man was killed in the second fatal stabbing in less than a week.
05 Aug 2017, 09:00
In leaked audio, defence minister vows to seek charges against lawmakers
During a meeting with officers from the Special Protection Group, Shareef praised the restraint of soldiers in the face of protesting MPs, saying he would have broken a lawmaker’s jaw.
02 Aug 2017, 09:00
Parliament sitting cancelled after toilet fire
Opposition MP Ahmed Mahloof alleged that the toilet was deliberately set on fire for a pretext to cancel the sitting.
01 Aug 2017, 09:00
MP Saud charged with terrorism
Saud is the fourth lawmaker to face criminal prosecution since the four-party opposition coalition secured a majority in the parliament to impeach Speaker Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed.
01 Aug 2017, 09:00
Soldiers surround speaker as opposition MPs protest in Majlis chamber
A week after the unprecedented expulsion of lawmakers by the police and military, the People’s Majlis resumed Monday with opposition MPs protesting in the chamber and soldiers surrounding the speaker’s chair.
31 Jul 2017, 09:00
UN censures ‘erosion of democratic norms’ as arrest of lawmakers continue
Three MPs have been arrested and several others summoned for questioning since the unprecedented expulsion of opposition lawmakers from the parliament building by the police and military last Monday.
29 Jul 2017, 09:00
Seven journalists arrested from opposition protest
The journalists were accused of obstructing police duty while Specialist Operations officers attempted to disperse the “unlawful gathering”.
27 Jul 2017, 09:00
Gasim’s bribery trial resumes after hospital stay
Jumhooree Party leader Gasim Ibrahim’s trial on charges of attempting to bribe lawmakers restarted Tuesday, a day after he was released from a nine-day stay at the hospital.
26 Jul 2017, 09:00
Western powers call on Maldives to restore independence of parliament
“The forcible closure of the nation’s Majlis to its members; security forces surrounding and entering Parliament; and the harassment, intimidation and arrests of elected members of parliament are deeply troubling,” reads a joint statement.
26 Jul 2017, 09:00
Deadlock and development: Yameen’s Independence Day address
The Maldivian Constitutional and legal system are “designed for a deadlock” and requires the president to rule with one hand tied behind his back, Yameen said.
26 Jul 2017, 09:00
Opposition MPs arrested and meeting hall shuttered in police crackdown
The police have arrested two lawmakers and blocked gatherings in Malé in a crackdown on the opposition after Monday’s protests and lockdown of parliament.
26 Jul 2017, 09:00
Broadcasting regulator fines state media over defamatory content
The broadcasting regulator has slapped a fine of MVR200,000 (US$12,970) on the state-owned Public Service Media over defamatory remarks made by a ruling party lawmaker at a televised press conference in April.
25 Jul 2017, 09:00
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif arrives in Maldives
Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has arrived in the Maldives on a three-day official visit to participate in Independence Day ceremonies as the chief guest.
25 Jul 2017, 09:00
Military removed MPs upon request, claims parliament secretariat
The military acted upon request to forcibly remove opposition lawmakers from the Majlis building, the parliament secretariat has said, insisting that the unprecedented action Monday afternoon was within legal bounds.
25 Jul 2017, 09:00
Opposition MPs forced out after soldiers and police storm parliament
Police officers and soldiers in riot gear forcibly dragged out opposition lawmakers from the parliament building and arrested two in dramatic scenes Monday afternoon as protests raged in Malé.
24 Jul 2017, 09:00
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