Politics
Two journalists, opposition figures arrested from mosque
Two journalists and four opposition figures were arrested Tuesday night while opposition supporters attempted to perform a prayer inside the Islamic centre in Malé. All six were released after about four hours in custody.
28 Jul 2016, 09:00
Foreign couple arrested after photographing opposition rally
The detained couple has been identified as a Polish national who works as a freelance photographer and her husband, an Italian businessman. The police spokesman said they were “taken in for questioning” after it was discovered that they did not have valid work permits.
28 Jul 2016, 09:00
Police block journalists’ silent protest
Specialist Operations police officers blocked a protest march staged by journalists against a defamation bill currently before parliament. The journalists were told they would not be allowed to protest in the streets of Malé while carrying banners and placards.
28 Jul 2016, 09:00
Gayoom snubs independence day ceremonies
Gayoom, who is locked in a bitter power struggle for control of the PPM with his half-brother President Abdulla Yameen, was notably absent from the midnight flag-hoisting ceremony as well as last night’s official reception hosted by the first couple.
27 Jul 2016, 09:00
Islam, traitors, economy: Yameen’s independence day address
The president’s address featured recurring themes: an alleged conspiracy by unnamed foreign powers to undermine the country’s Islamic identity, independence and sovereignty; the threat posed by “traitors” to peace and stability; and the importance of economic independence.
27 Jul 2016, 09:00
Human rights watchdog denies wasting funds
According to the audit report, the commission made no effort during 2015 to recover MVR1.15 million (US$74,500) owed by employees and spent MVR97,569 (US$6,300) in excess of its annual budget.
27 Jul 2016, 09:00
Rehendhi flat arranged for vice president
Accommodation for Vice President Abdulla Jihad has been arranged at the Rehendhi luxury apartment complex in Malé.
27 Jul 2016, 09:00
Police confiscate MP Ali Hussain’s phone over tweet
The MP is accused of obstructing police duty after saying in a tweet last Friday that everyone has the right to defend themselves against the unfair use of force by police officers.
25 Jul 2016, 09:00
Mahloof handed six months jail sentence
Today’s verdict comes a week after the lawmaker was sentenced to four months and 24 days in prison on a separate count of obstructing police duty. The MUO spokesman was found guilty of scaling barricades set up near the local market and trying to enter the restricted Republic Square.
25 Jul 2016, 09:00
Supreme Court overturns stay order halting executions
The Supreme Court has quashed a stay order issued Sunday by the High Court halting executions by the state pending a judgment on the constitutionality of regulations enacted for implementing the death penalty.
25 Jul 2016, 09:00
High Court issues stay order halting executions
The High Court has issued a stay order halting executions by the state pending a ruling on the constitutionality of regulations enacted in April 2014 for implementing the death penalty.
24 Jul 2016, 09:00
Press freedom concerns unaddressed in revised defamation bill
A revised bill on criminalising defamation and imposing severe restrictions on free speech was introduced to parliament last Tuesday without addressing concerns raised by Maldivian journalists.
24 Jul 2016, 09:00
Three arrested from opposition prayer gathering
Riot police continued to forcibly disperse the opposition’s weekly prayer gathering Friday afternoon, arresting three men and using pepper spray to push back the crowd outside the Islamic centre in Malé.
23 Jul 2016, 09:00
UN envoy departs with appeal for ‘maximum flexibility’
The UN said Tamrat Samuel “urged all concerned Maldivian parties to show maximum flexibility and commitment to compromise in order to overcome outstanding differences and address vital matters of national importance.”
23 Jul 2016, 09:00
Gayoom vindicated by Yameen faction walkout, says PPM
An emergency meeting of the ruling party’s council Tuesday night showed that some members are opposed to the reform agenda launched by former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, the Progressive Party of Maldives has said.
23 Jul 2016, 09:00
Regulator bans Raajje TV report on Afrasheem murder cover-up
The broadcasting regulator has ordered the opposition-aligned Raajje TV not to air a news report featuring a young man who claims police offered him MVR500,000 (US$32,509) to frame a suspect in the high-profile murder of a parliamentarian.
23 Jul 2016, 09:00
MUO vows to reinstate officers fired for disobeying unlawful orders
The Maldives United Opposition’s shadow cabinet on also discussed setting up “a special ‘Whatsapp’ phone hotline to impart relevant information to police personnel seeking to refuse unlawful orders from superiors.”
21 Jul 2016, 09:00
Opposition coalition gears up for first rally
The Maldives United Opposition is gearing up for its rally tonight despite the government’s refusal to grant permission to use a public venue in Malé.
21 Jul 2016, 09:00
Thousands gather for opposition coalition’s first rally – as it happened
The first rally by the Maldives United Opposition is underway. A podium has been set up at the MDP’s meeting hall, located on the outer ring road of the capital. Hundreds of opposition supporters have gathered on the opposite side of the road, filling up the artificial beach and allowing traffic to pass through.
21 Jul 2016, 09:00
PPM split worsens as ‘Yameen faction’ walks out of council meeting
Gayoom, the leader of the PPM, said the members who walked out objected to the presence of his son Faris Maumoon and Aminath Nadira, who they insist have been expelled by the party’s disciplinary committee.
20 Jul 2016, 09:00
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