Politics
Telecoms regulator won’t reveal reason for unprecedented block on news site
The telecoms regulator blocked Thursday a regional news website on unspecified grounds, but the paper says the ban was prompted by an article linking the first lady to corruption.
25 Apr 2016, 9:00 AM
MP Mahloof pleads not guilty to obstructing police officers
Independent MP Ahmed Mahloof pleaded not guilty today to a charge of obstructing police officers during a protest in March last year, denouncing the trial as “politically motivated.”
25 Apr 2016, 9:00 AM
Defiant Yameen lashes out as concerns persist over jailing of opponents
The Maldives’ embattled president, Abdulla Yameen, has lashed out at persisting international scrutiny over the jailing of his opponents, days after cabinet ministers promised to follow recommendations for reform by the Commonwealth.
25 Apr 2016, 9:00 AM
PPM accuses Indian newspaper of defaming Gayoom
Reacting angrily to an article on the Mumbai Mirror about a radicalised Maldivian family of 12 joining Islamic State, the PPM said it contained “factual inaccuracies and fabrications,” and called it “an attack on the country of Maldives, its peace-loving citizens, and its authorities.”
24 Apr 2016, 9:00 AM
Maldives and the Commonwealth’s formal agenda: both sides claim victory
Ministers here have said the CMAG had not placed the Maldives on its formal agenda, while critics argued that continued scrutiny means the Maldives is effectively on the 53-member inter-governmental body’s watch.
23 Apr 2016, 9:00 AM
US Senators urge Kerry to “consider all options” on Maldives
“We would urge the administration to consider all of the options at its disposal, which might be effective in influencing the government’s behavior,” Senators McCain and Reed said. “Together, we want to encourage the Maldives to take steps to restore confidence in its democratic path and judicial independence.”
22 Apr 2016, 9:00 AM
Ex-defence minister transferred to house imprisonment upon arrival in Malé
Former Defence Minister Mohamed Nazim was taken into custody upon his arrival in Malé on Thursday, and immediately transferred to house imprisonment for a period of 30 days.
22 Apr 2016, 9:00 AM
Court order sought to prevent Haveeru staff from registering new paper
The battle for the Maldives’ oldest newspaper, Haveeru Daily, took a new twist on Thursday, with the paper’s new shareholders requesting a stay order to prevent its founder and staff from registering or operating a new paper.
22 Apr 2016, 9:00 AM
Commissioner of Prisons suspended
The home ministry has suspended Commissioner of Prisons Mohamed Husham pending the outcome of an investigation on unspecified charges. Contrary to media reports, Home Minister Umar Naseer said last night that Husham has not been fired. He has been asked to stay home, Naseer said.
21 Apr 2016, 9:00 AM
Maldives remains ‘very hostile for independent and opposition media’
The Maldives remains “very hostile for independent and opposition media” since the February 2012 “coup d’état,” reads the Reporters Without Borders’ 2016 press freedom index entry on the Maldives. “In a state of emergency and ‘national security’ climate, the media continue to be subjected to police brutality and government obstruction,” RSF observed.
21 Apr 2016, 9:00 AM
Jailed opposition leaders invited to join talks
“The government must not expect to hold our leaders as hostages at the negotiating table! Negotiations must be sincere and should pave way for political reconciliation,” Shidhatha Shareef, chair of the Adhaalath Party’s foreign relations committee, told The Maldives Independent.
20 Apr 2016, 9:00 AM
Government to reconsider decision to revoke Nasheed’s medical leave
Home Minister Umar Naseer said in a tweet this morning that he has asked the Maldives Correctional Services’ medical board to review a decision to revoke a 30-day extension of medical leave “due to the confusion created by [Nasheed’s] lawyers,” who had denied President Yameen’s claim that the opposition leader was due to undergo surgery in the UK.
20 Apr 2016, 9:00 AM
Majlis passes long-awaited Criminal Procedures Act
The landmark Criminal Procedure Act, comprising of 30 chapters, codifies in detail the rules to investigate, prosecute and pass judgment on suspected criminal offenders. The legislation had been pending for seven years at the People’s Majlis.
20 Apr 2016, 9:00 AM
Nasheed stripped of ex-president’s privileges
President Abdulla Yameen ratified today a bill that strips former President Mohamed Nasheed of state benefits, security, and privileges. The opposition leader is no longer entitled to security and protection from military bodyguards as well as medical insurance, a monthly pension, and funds to manage the former president’s office.
19 Apr 2016, 9:00 AM
Government revokes extension of Nasheed’s medical leave
Commissioner of Prisons Mohamed Husham told the press this afternoon that the 30-day extension was revoked after Nasheed’s lawyers denied President Abdulla Yameen’s claim that the opposition leader is due to undergo surgery tomorrow.
18 Apr 2016, 9:00 AM
Ex-defence minister, ex-MP ordered to return to Maldives in 48 hours
If the retired colonel fails to return in the next two days, the Maldives Correctional Services will “begin work to bring him back,” Superintendent of Prisons Ibrahim Mohamed Didi informed Nazim’s wife today. The prisons authority has also ordered former MP Ahmed Nazim to cut short his medical leave in Singapore and return to prison within 498 hours.
18 Apr 2016, 9:00 AM
Five months after raid, police return some of Sangu TV equipment
The police have returned seven out of 33 pieces of broadcasting equipment confiscated from Sangu TV during a raid of the privately-owned station’s offices in Malé more than five months ago.
17 Apr 2016, 9:00 AM
Prosecutors return charges against MP Mahloof
Citing insufficient evidence, the Prosecutor General’s office has declined to prosecute Independent MP Ahmed Mahloof on a charge of assaulting a police officer during an anti-government protest in Malé on March 11.
17 Apr 2016, 9:00 AM
Top UN official arrives in Malé to resuscitate all-party talks
Tamrat Samuel, a senior advisor to the UN’s department of political affairs, is seeking to lay the groundwork “for substantive political party dialogue in the interest of attaining long-term political stability and rule of law in the Maldives.”
17 Apr 2016, 9:00 AM
Second trial begins for Raajje TV journalists
The second trial against opposition aligned Raajje TV journalists began at the criminal court today, with reporters Mohamed Wisam and Adam Zareer pleading not guilty today to charges of obstructing police officers
17 Apr 2016, 9:00 AM
Showing 90 / 393