Politics
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
Evidence submitted to prove Adeeb planned to flee after boat blast
A forensic analysis of the former vice president’s mobile phone “shows that Adeeb had used his phone to search online for ways to assassinate the president using chemicals or explosives and that he had searched for ways to flee the country and obtain a visa from another country,” the state prosecutor explained.
28 May 2016, 09:00
Prosecutors revise charges against Raajje TV journalist
Raajje TV Chief Operating Office Hussain Fiyaz Moosa Fiyaz was accused of assaulting a police officer while reporting on the military’s attempts to defuse a bomb on November 2 last year, but he was charged with touching an individual without his consent.
26 May 2016, 09:00
MDP urged to boycott elections if EC introduces e-voting
The Elections Commission had said earlier this month that it will “do what is necessary to introduce electronic voting.” However, commission members and Home Minister Umar Naseer told visiting European Union diplomats yesterday that e-voting would not be introduced unless the system has public support.
25 May 2016, 09:00
MDP activist arrested for photographing policemen
A member of the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party’s youth wing was briefly detained Monday night after photographing traffic policemen towing vehicles in Malé.
24 May 2016, 09:00
Maldives ‘disappointed’ with Britain granting asylum for Nasheed
“The government of the Maldives is disappointed, if confirmed, that the UK government is allowing itself to be part of this charade, and further, is enabling an individual to circumvent his obligations under the law,” the foreign ministry said in a statement last night.
24 May 2016, 09:00
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