Politics
Adeeb, five soldiers charged over boat blast
The Prosecutor General’s office filed charges against former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb and five soldiers at the criminal court yesterday over the September 28 blast on the president’s speedboat.
15 Mar 2016, 09:00
Appeals court upholds ex-defence minister’s arms smuggling conviction
The High Court upheld today a weapons smuggling conviction against former Defence Minister Mohamed Nazim, ruling that there was no evidence to suggest he was framed by rogue police officers.
15 Mar 2016, 09:00
Government still hopes MDP will join talks despite third snub
The government will continue to attempt to convince the Maldivian Democratic Party and Adhaalath Party to participate in all-party talks following a third snub by the allied opposition parties, Fisheries Minister Dr Mohamed Shainee said today.
14 Mar 2016, 09:00
Ruling party MP calls female MPs ‘screaming crows’ in equality debate
PPM MP Riyaz Rasheed caused a stir today labelling the four women MPs of the opposition “shameless” and “screaming crows.” He also said that women are the leading cause for heart attacks and strokes.
14 Mar 2016, 09:00
Saudi Arabia pledges US$50m for military housing project
Saudi Arabia pledged to provide US$50 million for a military housing project during an official visit to the kingdom this week by Defence Minister Adam Shareef Umar.
14 Mar 2016, 09:00
Anti-graft watchdog fields barrage of questions over integrity
The anti-graft watchdog fielded Sunday a barrage of questions on its integrity and willingness to hold President Abdulla Yameen to account over the theft of some US$80million from state coffers.
14 Mar 2016, 09:00
First couple moves to official residence as president backtracks on campaign pledge
President Abdulla Yameen has done a u-turn on his much-publicised campaign pledge of living in his family home with an unexpected move on Thursday to Hilaaleege, the state residence formerly used by his first Vice President Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed.
13 Mar 2016, 09:00
Ruling coalition MP stands by admission of bribery
Ruling coalition MP Mohamed Ismail has stood by his admission of bribing opposition lawmakers, claiming he distributed cash as a favour to detained former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb.
13 Mar 2016, 09:00
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, 09:00
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, 09:00
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, 09:00
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, 09:00
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, 09:00
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, 09:00
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, 09:00
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, 09:00
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, 09:00
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, 09:00
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, 09:00
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, 09:00
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