A digest of news and opinion from the Maldives.
Foreign tourists arrive in a resort in the Kurumba island in Maldives, February,12, 2012 (AP File Photo) Despite its famed luxury resorts, the government of Maldives has a troubled take on the rule of law. Maldivians don’t see their country the same way tourists do. “Its geographically beautiful – tourists love it. But it’s a […]
The family of murdered blogger Yameen Rasheed has expressed concern over the closed hearings of the seven defendants charged with his death. Yameen, a prominent blogger and Internet activist, was stabbed to death in April and was found with multiple stab wounds in the stairway of his apartment building in Malé. He died soon after […]
The closed-door trial of a religious scholar accused of performing a sexual act with a minor while in a position of trust began Wednesday. The preliminary hearing involving Sheikh Mohamed Shafiu was closed to the media and public to protect the rights of the underage student, who accused the former university lecturer of sexual assault. […]
The original Dhivehi article was published on Avas.mv website on 30th September 2017. The following is a loose translation: Is Malé safe anymore? Who is there to guarantee the safe return from a visit to a corner shop without getting stabbed in the throat or chest? In the capital city Malé, which has become a […]
Legal measures for the prosecution and prevention of sorcery and black magic need to be ‘streamlined’, authorities have told the Maldives Independent. Belief in sorcery and black magic, known locally as fanditha and sihuru, is common in the Maldives. Fanditha is allowed for licensed parties under a 1978 law. Sihuru, enlisting demons to harm others, […]
A man has been fined almost $10,000 for caging endangered green turtle hatchlings. Mohamed Musthafa from the island of Maakurathu in Raa atoll was fined MVR149,000 ($9,600), the first penalty of its kind imposed for caging the creatures. Five out of the seven species of sea turtle are found in the Maldives. Green turtles are […]
There are staggeringly low conviction rates for corruption-related crimes in the Maldives, a new reported has revealed. The report, from NGO Transparency Maldives, said only one corruption-related case reached conviction between 2010 and 2014 despite 175 cases being submitted for prosecution by the Anti-Corruption Commission. The single conviction refers to the sentencing of Kaashidhoo MP […]
Man tagged with an ankle monitor under the MoniCon order. PHOTO/POLICE The special committee on the MoniCon order has approved to request the High Court to tag nine suspects, who are accused of major criminal offences, with ankle monitors under the Anti-Terrorism Act on Sunday. The MoniCon order is issued by the High Court, based […]
The gender ministry’s monthly statistics of reported cases have shown a drop from 260 cases in July to 246 in August, despite a rise in cases of child sexual abuse. According to the ministry, 131 out of the 246 cases in August were connected to different forms of child abuse. Child abuse cases have continued […]