Politics

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”.

PPM MP slams Sri Lanka for harbouring ‘coup plotters’

MP Riyaz Rasheed slammed Sri Lanka for harbouring “coup plotters,” warning the neighbouring country against interfering in domestic affairs of the Maldives.

Security forces on alert as opposition stages surprise protest

Hundreds of raincoat-clad protesters have taken to the streets of Malé calling for President Abdulla Yameen’s resignation, prompting a crackdown by riot police who have used pepper spray to disperse the un-announced gathering.

Police raid ex-president’s family residence over ‘coup plot’

The raid on Nasheed’s family residence came hours after an ex opposition lawmaker’s phone was confiscated over charges of involvement in a plot to oust Yameen.

Arrest warrants issued for Nasheed, Jameel, and Akram

The criminal court has issued warrants for the arrest of opposition leaders. Nasheed is wanted over an investigation of “a case involving more than MVR1.8 million that was flagged in a 2011 audit report.”

Social media activist given 45-day remand

Shammoon ‘Lucas’ Jaleel will spend a total of 45 days in custody over Twitter posts that police claimed incited hate against security forces

Complaint filed over state broadcaster’s live telecast of PPM rally

The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party has submitted a complaint to the anti-corruption watchdog over the state broadcaster’s live telecast of a ruling party campaign rally.

State challenges payout to official sacked over sexual harassment claim

The attorney general’s office has filed a case at the high court to overturn a lower court order to compensate a top government official sacked for sexual harassment