Politics
Maldives, India sign defence action plan
“It is clear that the contours of India-Maldives relations are defined by our shared strategic, security, economic and developmental goals. The prompt implementation of a concrete action plan in the defence sector will strengthen our defence cooperation,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at a joint press conference with President Abdulla Yameen yesterday.
12 Apr 2016, 09:00
Broadcasting regulator ‘concerned’ over charges against Raajje TV journalists
The Maldives Broadcasting Commission has expressed concern over charges filed against three journalists from the opposition-aligned Raajje TV, but stopped short of condemning the unprecedented criminal prosecution of journalists.
11 Apr 2016, 09:00
Maldives seeks Indian protection from ‘unfair punitive action by CMAG’
“The reason I visited Mr Prime Minister in India today is to express my appreciation for the very steadfast leadership India has shown in protecting Maldives in the CMAG deliberations. We look at India for continued support in preventing any unfair, any punitive action by the CMAG on the Maldives,” President Yameen said today in his ongoing official visit to India.
11 Apr 2016, 09:00
183 Maldives journalists sign petition for press freedom
Some 183 Maldivian journalists have signed a historic petition urging the authorities to tackle threats to press freedom, including the withdrawal of a bill criminalising defamation and ending impunity for crimes committed against reporters.
10 Apr 2016, 09:00
Shumba Gong tortured in jail, says lawyer
Ahmed ‘Shumba Gong’ Ashraf was forced to sit on the floor, in handcuffs, while prisons officers alternately poured hot and ice-cold water on him, said lawyer Moosa Siraj.
10 Apr 2016, 09:00
Talks are ‘an exercise in futility,’ MDP tells Commonwealth rep
Government-initiated all-party talks are an “exercise in futility” unless jailed political leaders are freed, the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party told a visiting Commonwealth representative today.
10 Apr 2016, 09:00
US senate urges Maldives to redress “injustice” of Nasheed’s jailing
Expressing “profound disappointment” with the bipartisan resolution, which was passed unanimously on Thursday, the government has defended the opposition leader’s conviction on a terrorism charge and insisted that there are no political prisoners in the country.
09 Apr 2016, 09:00
Police defend blocking silent march for press freedom
The journalists were not allowed to march as closing down the capital’s main thoroughfare would have caused traffic jams and posed difficulties to pedestrians and businesses, the police said. The journalists accused the police of violating their right to freedom of assembly, which is guaranteed in the constitution “without prior permission of the state.”
09 Apr 2016, 09:00
Ex-President Nasheed ordered to return to prison
The government has refused to extend former President Mohamed Nasheed’s medical leave in the United Kingdom, and ordered him to return to the Maldives to serve the remainder of his 13 year jail sentence.
08 Apr 2016, 09:00
President Yameen to make official visit to India
President Abdulla Yameen is scheduled to make an official visit to India ahead of a crucial Commonwealth summit. He is due to call on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 10.
08 Apr 2016, 09:00
Government denies ordering surveillance on ministers, lawyers
Two former attorneys general, a minister at the president’s office, and the former Islamic affairs minister have been under secret police surveillance for nearly a year on suspicion of plotting a coup d’état, a credible source has said.
07 Apr 2016, 09:00
Ex-MP flees Singapore after order to return to prison
Ahmed Nazim, a former MP with the ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives who was allowed to travel to Singapore on medical-leave from prison, has left the country and traveled to the United Kingdom, The Maldives Independent understands.
07 Apr 2016, 09:00
Three journalists facing trial on charges of obstructing police duty
The unprecedented prosecution of three journalists comes amidst a campaign launched by the Maldivian media against a government crackdown on press freedom in the country.
07 Apr 2016, 09:00
Businessman charged over MMPRC scandal seeks order to remove cameras in jail cell
Hamid’s lawyer Husnu Suood told The Maldives Independent that the four surveillance cameras in the cell and one in the cell toilet represents a “serious human rights violation.”
06 Apr 2016, 09:00
Majority leader seeks to assuage journalists’ concerns over defamation bill
Speaking to reporters after a meeting Tuesday afternoon with the Maldives Media Council, the parliamentary group leader of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives said the government is willing to address press freedom concerns raised by journalists and amend the proposed defamation and freedom of expression law.
06 Apr 2016, 09:00
Maldives parliament strips ex-presidential benefits for opposition leader
Shortly after the amendments to withdraw privileges and state benefits were passed at today’s sitting of parliament, the opposition leader tweeted: “I have always believed that respect and privilege come from within the hearts of the people. It is not something that can be created or abolished by a law.”
06 Apr 2016, 09:00
Time stands still: Maldivians react to Haveeru closure
Maldivians reacted with despair as the country’s oldest newspaper remained closed for a third day amidst a bitter ownership battle. “Three days without Haveeru is like deleting three days from the calendar,” one reader said.
06 Apr 2016, 09:00
Judge in ‘coup plot’ pleads not guilty to terrorism charge
A judge detained over a “forged” warrant to arrest President Abdulla Yameen in connection with the Maldives’ biggest corruption scandal pleaded not guilty to a corruption charge at a hearing Tuesday. Ahmed Nihan, senior judge of the Maamigili magistrate court, also pleaded not guilty to charges of abuse of authority, official misconduct, and forgery.
06 Apr 2016, 09:00
Ex-president’s daughter quits government
Deputy Education Minister Yumna Maumoon, daughter of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, has resigned last week, local media reports. It is not clear why Yumna, who heads the department of national heritage, quit her uncle’s government.
05 Apr 2016, 09:00
Parliament creates second deputy prosecutor general post
Pro-government MPs say having more than one deputy prosecutor general will ensure that the criminal justice system will function in the absence of a PG. But opposition MPs contend that the change is aimed at ensuring that one of the deputies will do President Abdulla Yameen’s bidding if the PG refuses to unfairly prosecute a political opponent.
05 Apr 2016, 09:00
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