Politics
Friday sermon has become a ‘political weapon’
The Islamic ministry has once again provoked a storm of criticism with a Friday sermon that warned Maldivians against slander amidst allegations of corruption against President Abdulla Yameen.
13 Mar 2016, 9:00 AM
High Court judge complains over transfer to southern branch
High Court Judge Azmiralda Zahir has filed a complaint with the parliament’s independent institutions oversight committee over her transfer to a southern branch of the appellate court.
13 Mar 2016, 9:00 AM
MDP condemns arrest of MP Mahloof from anti-corruption protest
The Maldivian Democratic Party has strongly condemned the police’s “unconstitutional” obstruction of Friday’s protest as well as the heavy use of pepper spray against protesters and a Raajje TV journalist and the arrest of MP Ahmed Mahloof.
12 Mar 2016, 9:00 AM
Media regulator shares press freedom concerns with Chief Justice
The Maldives Broadcasting Commission said in a statement that its president, Mohamed Shaheeb, discussed “seeking a solution to the tension between the media and the judiciary” after the criminal court barred several outlets from observing trials.
10 Mar 2016, 9:00 AM
Surprise terror trial for ex-chief prosecutor
The criminal court summoned detained former Prosecutor General Muhthaz Muhsin to an unannounced hearing today and granted him seven days to hire a lawyer to answer a terror charge.
10 Mar 2016, 9:00 AM
American PR firm complained over delayed payment in email to Maldives president
Leaked emails show the Maldivian public was billed a total of US$221,826 for three months of work in 2012 by PR firm Ruder Finn. The lobbyists later sent an email to then-president Waheed complaining over a seven-month delay in receiving payment, The Maldives Independent can reveal.
10 Mar 2016, 9:00 AM
Ex-defence minister’s appeal: Court set to deliver verdict next week
Six police officers involved in arms raid on Mohamed Nazim’s home provided anonymous testimony today. Judges said they will deliver a verdict on March 15.
10 Mar 2016, 9:00 AM
Maldives parliament admits guilt over corruption
The parliament descended into fresh chaos today with lawmakers from warring sides accusing one another of corruption, and a ruling party MP admitting that he handed over “sacks of money” as bribes to opposition MPs.
09 Mar 2016, 9:00 AM
Defence minister, army chief in Saudi Arabia to observe military drill
The ‘Thunder of the North’ is the first military exercise by the Saudi-led Islamic military alliance formed in December to combat terrorist organisations. The Maldives is among some 34 nations that joined the coalition.
09 Mar 2016, 9:00 AM
At ITB, minister lambastes ‘political campaign to tarnish Maldives’ image’
“Scare stories of religious extremists threatening tourists have been spread by people who have vested interest – not to highlight an impending problem, but solely to gain headlines,” Moosa Zameer said in a statement issued at the opening of the ITB Berlin travel and trade show.
09 Mar 2016, 9:00 AM
Government accused of using radical preachers ‘to justify injustice’
A sermon by a Saudi preacher in which he claimed it is un-Islamic to disobey rulers even if they are unjust and corrupt has stirred controversy, with the opposition accusing the government of using “fundamentalist preachers to stifle democracy.”
09 Mar 2016, 9:00 AM
EX chief prosecutor faces fresh terror charges on ‘conspiracy to kidnap president’
Former Prosecutor General Muhthaz Muhsin and Judge Ahmed Nihan are facing fresh charges of terrorism for allegedly “attempting to take President [Abdulla] Yameen hostage.”
08 Mar 2016, 9:00 AM
Adeeb transferred from high-security prison to police custody
Former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb was abruptly transferred from Maafushi prison to the police detention centre on the island of Dhoonidhoo last night. “We were not notified of the transfer or given a reason why he was being transferred,” said Adeeb’s lawyer Moosa Siraj.
08 Mar 2016, 9:00 AM
Family of Afrasheem murder convict call for inquiry against judge
Hussain Humam Ahmed, 22 years, may become the first Maldivian to be executed by the state in some 60 years if the Supreme Court finds him guilty of murdering MP Dr Afrasheem Ali. His family is urging the judicial watchdog to investigate judges for alleged due process violations.
08 Mar 2016, 9:00 AM
Opposition MPs submit no-confidence motion against speaker
Opposition MPs accuse Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed of breaching the constitution and the parliamentary rules of procedure in order to rubber stamp government proposals. Shortly after the news of the no-confidence motion broke, Majority Leader Ahmed Nihan dismissed the possibility of removing Maseeh from the post as the ruling coalition controls 52 seats in the 85-member house.
08 Mar 2016, 9:00 AM
Judge pleads not guilty to forgery, misconduct charges
A judge detained over a “fake” warrant to arrest President Abdulla Yameen in connection with the Maldives’ biggest corruption scandal has pleaded not guilty to charges of forgery, misconduct, and abuse of authority.
08 Mar 2016, 9:00 AM
Adeeb’s terror trial postponed after key witness fails to show up
The criminal court cancelled Sunday a hearing scheduled to hear evidence against former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb, who is accused of terrorism on a charge of carrying a pistol.
07 Mar 2016, 9:00 AM
MDP rejects government offer to discuss Nasheed’s terror conviction
The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party has rejected an “exclusive meeting” proposed by the government “to explore avenues for the state for a leniency” on former President Mohamed Nasheed’s terror conviction.
07 Mar 2016, 9:00 AM
Supreme Court wraps up Nasheed’s terror appeal
The Supreme Court has concluded hearing the state’s appeal of a terror conviction against former President Mohamed Nasheed’s terror conviction. A verdict is expected at a next hearing, but a date has not been set yet.
07 Mar 2016, 9:00 AM
Court holds hearing on Nasheed’s terror conviction as talks remain at a stalemate
The Supreme Court held today a second hearing into an appeal filed by the state over former President Mohamed Nasheed’s terrorism conviction. Today’s hearing, just the second since the appeal was filed nearly five months ago, comes in the wake of the opposition boycotting government-initiated all-party talks.
06 Mar 2016, 9:00 AM
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