Politics
Home minister moves to halt production of historical documentary
The home ministry has ordered a southern island to halt production on a movie documenting the forced eviction of its residents in 1962 as collective punishment for a separatist movement.
14 Jun 2016, 09:00
First lady dubbed ‘date thief’
First Lady Fathimath Ibrahim has sparked a firestorm of criticism after it emerged that a charity organisation she founded was distributing packets of dates gifted by Saudi Arabia to the people of the Maldives in its name.
14 Jun 2016, 09:00
Executive facing corruption charges appointed as deputy minister
The Maldives Roads Development Corporation’s managing director has been transferred to a political post despite pending corruption charges over a MVR1 million (US$64,850) loss incurred by the state-owned company.
13 Jun 2016, 09:00
Opposition condemns ‘unfair, politically motivated trials’
The government has meanwhile asserted the independence of the judiciary and insisted that a bomb caused the September 28 blast on the president’s speedboat: “Any suggestion to the contrary is merely scurrilous, and an obvious attempt to besmirch both the judiciary and the government.”
12 Jun 2016, 09:00
Three Maldivians join extremist group in Syria
The news of the latest Maldivian recruits for jihad comes after President Abdulla Yameen submitted a policy paper on terrorism and violent extremism to the People’s Majlis, seeking the views of lawmakers on “further steps to be taken to address the issue.”
12 Jun 2016, 09:00
The Economist accused of defaming Maldives government
The government has reacted furiously to The Economist’s coverage of the new opposition coalition launched in London last week, accusing the magazine of being manipulated “to further an agenda that has, as its central aim, the unconstitutional removing of a democratically elected president”.
09 Jun 2016, 09:00
Judge accuses police of framing him with drugs
A judge at the Thinadhoo magistrate court who was arrested on a drug charge last month told the Supreme Court today that he was framed by the police. Magistrate Ali Rasheed was arrested on May 28 “in a state of intoxication,” according to the police.
08 Jun 2016, 09:00
Expanding executive power on agenda as Majlis reconvenes
The People’s Majlis returned from recess Tuesday for the second session of 2016 with bills on expanding executive powers as the first order of business.Ruling party MP Abdul Latheef Mohamed proposed amending the 2007 civil service law to require the Civil Service Commission to consult ministers before appointing permanent secretaries, who must also manage the ministry “in accordance with the minister’s advice and instructions”.
08 Jun 2016, 09:00
PG office ordered to compensate unfairly dismissed prosecutor
The Employment Tribunal has ordered the Prosecutor General’s office to compensate a former public prosecutor for unfair dismissal. Aminath Areej Hussain was sacked on December 9 after the human resource department deemed her “unfit” to work at the PG office.
08 Jun 2016, 09:00
Chief judge takes over all of Adeeb’s trials, holds back-to-back hearings
The controversial chief judge of the criminal court, Abdul Bari Yoosuf, has taken charge of all five trials on graft and terror charges against former Vice President Ahmed Abeeb. On Wednesday, he concluded hearing evidence in three of the trials and is holding back-to-back hearings in a terrorism trial today.
02 Jun 2016, 09:00
Broadcast regulator accused of double standards
The reconstituted Maldives Broadcasting Commission has been accused of bias and double standards over contrasting rulings issued recently after investigating similar complaints.
02 Jun 2016, 09:00
First couple returns to Malé after stopover in Sri Lanka
President Abdulla Yameen and First Lady Fathmath Ibrahim arrived in Malé this afternoon after concluding an official visit to Malaysia. According to Sri Lankan media, Yameen stopped over in Colombo with a seven-member delegation “on a private visit.”
02 Jun 2016, 09:00
Judge in Adeeb’s boat blast trial ‘demoted’
Hearings in former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb’s terror trial were cancelled Tuesday after a judge on the three-member panel was transferred to the juvenile court. Lawyers have described the transfer as a politically motivated demotion.
01 Jun 2016, 09:00
Opposition announces shadow cabinet
The newly launched ‘Maldives United Opposition’ has announced a 19-member shadow cabinet comprised of senior opposition figures and former top officials of President Abdulla Yameen’s administration.
01 Jun 2016, 09:00
Maldives opposition shows united front, urges supporters to “set aside differences”
Five rival opposition groups announced today a united front to remove President Abdulla Yameen from office, urging supporters to bridge differences to restore democracy.
01 Jun 2016, 09:00
Watchdog suspends judge after arrest on drug charge
The judicial watchdog body has suspended a judge at the Thinadhoo magistrate court after he was arrested on a drug charge last Saturday.
31 May 2016, 09:00
Jameel to head new opposition coalition to oust Yameen
Opposition leaders are to announce a new coalition, headed by former Vice President Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed, to remove President Abdulla Yameen, The Maldives Independent understands.
30 May 2016, 09:00
First couple departs for Malaysia
President Yameen will be meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak whilst the first lady is scheduled to deliver a lecture at the three-day ‘Permata International Conference: Children Beyond Tomorrow.’
30 May 2016, 09:00
Yameen’s remarks on sex workers, opium spark controversy
President Abdulla Yameen has sparked outrage on social media with recent comments on Maldivian men visiting sex workers in Bangkok, feeding opium to the youth, and a reference to Allah’s children.
29 May 2016, 09:00
Pakistan pledges US$10m loan for Maldives military
Speaking to reporters last night upon his return from a four-day official visit to Pakistan, Defence Minister Adam Shareef Umar said the loan will be used to purchase military equipment and two aircraft.
28 May 2016, 09:00
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