Politics
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
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, 09:00
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, 09:00
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, 09:00
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, 09:00
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, 09:00
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, 09:00
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, 09:00
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, 09:00
Former prosecutor general faces charges of forgery, unlawful arrest
Former Prosecutor General Muhthaz Muhsin was taken into police custody for a second time today after an appellate court overruled his release from remand. The prosecutor general’s office is now seeking charges of forgery and planning an unlawful arrest against him.
06 Mar 2016, 09:00
Raajje TV latest to be banned from criminal court
The criminal court has banned opposition-aligned Raajje TV from observing trials, even excluding the popular station’s reporters from a hearing on an arson attack that destroyed its head offices down in 2013.
06 Mar 2016, 09:00
Ex prosecutor general, arrested over coup plot, released from remand
Muhthaz Muhsin, the former prosecutor general arrested over an arrest warrant for President Abdulla Yameen, was released from remand custody on Friday.
05 Mar 2016, 09:00
Government to seek international assistance over stalled talks
The Maldivian government will seek international assistance to bring the opposition to the negotiating table, Fisheries Minister Dr Mohamed Shainee announced today, after cancelling a second-meeting of all-party talks.
03 Mar 2016, 09:00
Supreme Court accuses Amnesty of Islamophobia, hate crimes
The Maldives’ Supreme Court has hit back furiously at criticisms by Amnesty International, accusing the world-renowned human rights group of Islamophobia, political bias, and hate crimes against the Maldivian people.
03 Mar 2016, 09:00
Maldives begins all-party talks without the opposition
Efforts to launch talks aimed at ending the Maldives’ political crisis got off to a bizzare start tonight with representatives of President Abdulla Yameen and the ruling coalition sitting down for a first meeting without the opposition.
03 Mar 2016, 09:00
Judge to boycott judicial watchdog meetings
A member of the watchdog Judicial Services Commission has said he would no longer attend meetings because of concerns over its independence.
03 Mar 2016, 09:00
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