Politics

Maldives placed on Commonwealth agenda, warned of suspension

The Maldives has been placed on the Commonwealth’s formal agenda and warned of suspension, with officials citing “deep disappointment” at the country’s lack of progress in resolving a protracted political crisis.

Immigration revokes passport of MDP chairperson, ex-vice president’s associates

“We have shared this information with other countries. Hence, if they travel using this passport, they will face problems at the point of entry and immigration will not be responsible for any inconvenience or loss they may have to face,” said Hassan Khaleel, the department’s media official.

Court orders reinstatement of ex-president’s bodyguard

The civil court ordered the defence ministry on Monday to reinstate a senior military officer who was unfairly dismissed in the wake of President Abdulla Yameen’s inauguration in November 2013. Sergeant Major Naushad Ali was among nine high-ranking officers fired over accusations of sowing discord within the military ahead of the 2013 presidential election.

Commonwealth urged to suspend Maldives over ‘slide to dictatorship’

A New Delhi-based human rights group has urged the Commonwealth’s democracy watchdog to suspend the Maldives from the organisation over an unresolved and protracted political crisis, warning that “the nation is sliding into a dictatorial system once again.”

PPM denies talks between Nasheed and Gayoom

Abdul Aleem Adam, the PPM’s deputy secretary-general, accused the exiled opposition leader of “lying to bring to President Maumoon into disrepute and to create discord among PPM members.”

Committee to Protect Journalists condemns raid of Maldives Independent office

The New York-based press freedom organisation also called on the government to “immediately stop all attempts to intimidate the press, and send a clear message to Maldives Independent editor Zaheena Rasheed that she can return home without fear of persecution.”

Transparency calls for ‘broad investigation’ after corruption exposé

Anti-corruption NGO Transparency Maldives has called for a broad and independent investigation into allegations raised in an Al Jazeera exposé about systemic corruption, abuse of power and criminal activity at the highest level of government.

Three members from MDP national council detained for ‘anti-national activities’

Gayoom denies demanding US$100k from Nasheed as ‘goodwill’ gesture

Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has denied demanding US$100,000 from his longtime rival and successor as a “goodwill” gesture for negotiations on forming an alliance to oust his embattled half-brother.

Two men detained over ‘coup plot’ released without charges

Ibrahim Shahiban Ahmed and Mohamed Shamin Ali, who work for various environmental NGOs, were detained during a raid of the building that houses the Maldives Independent.

Al Jazeera corruption exposé dismissed as ‘defamatory and biased’

The government has dismissed an explosive Al Jazeera corruption exposé aired on Wednesday as defamatory and biased, accusing the Qatari broadcaster of advancing the opposition’s agenda to oust President Abdulla Yameen.

Opposition activist arrested over tweet released with conditions

Shammoon ‘Lucas’ Jaleel was arrested on June 29 over a tweet in which he likened police officers to a streak of tigers. The 27-year-old spent one month and seven days at the police detention centre on the island of Dhoonidhoo.

Opposition condemns ‘desperate’ smear campaign against Al Jazeera

The opposition has condemned a campaign launched by President Abdulla Yameen’s administration to discredit an upcoming corruption exposé by Al Jazeera as “desperate moves by a government on the defensive”

Immigration revokes Nasheed and Jameel’s passports

Maldivian citizens who are instructed to return to the country either in connection with a court judgment or an ongoing investigation do not have the right to stay or reside overseas using a Maldivian passport, the department said in a press statement this afternoon.

Police raid Maldives Independent office over ‘coup plot’

The police have raided the Maldives Independent office in Malé with a court warrant over an alleged coup plot, hours after an highly-anticipated and explosive Al Jazeera corruption exposé was released on YouTube.

Gayoom vows to uphold constitution as Nasheed speaks of new alliance

Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has vowed to uphold the Maldives constitution after the opposition leader spoke of an alliance between the pair to oust the country’s current leader, Abdulla Yameen

SOF leaks whistleblower should be ‘praised, not punished’

Transparency International and its local chapter have called on the prosecutor general to dismiss charges against a senior bank official on trial for leaking documents related to the Maldives’ biggest ever corruption scandal

Smear tactics and a death threat as anticipation builds over Al Jazeera corruption exposé

The release of teaser trailers for Al Jazeera’s long awaited corruption expose, ‘Stealing Paradise,’ has sparked a frenzy of anticipation in the Maldives and intensified a smear campaign, including hate-filled tweets and a death threat, against the film’s producer

Lawsuit challenges constitutionality of Defamation Act

A law firm mounted Sunday a challenge to President Abdulla Yameen’s defamation law, asking the high court to strike down key provisions on the grounds that it contravened the constitution.

Al Jazeera accused of plotting to damage Maldives economy

In an article published on its website last night, PSM said the ‘Stealing Paradise’ documentary was made in collaboration with the opposition by “a foreigner and non-Muslim called Will Jordan with the purpose of spreading falsehoods about the Maldives and causing loss of investor confidence”.