A digest of news and opinion from the Maldives.
The Maldives has condemned the plight of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar and ceased all trade ties with the country. Citing “systematic repression” of the minority group as documented in the past by the UN, the Maldives expressed concern with “the recent cycle of violence that resulted in the death of dozens of Rohingya Muslims and displaced […]
Lawyers representing Jumhooree Party leader Gasim Ibrahim have slammed the failure of the authorities to allow the convicted opposition lawmaker to seek medical treatment overseas as ordered by the criminal court. Despite assurances from Home Minister Azleen Ahmed last week that medical leave will be authorised within days, the Attorney General’s office appealed the part of Gasim’s […]
Former President Mohamed Nasheed’s invitation to a New Delhi conference sponsored by the Indian foreign ministry is a signal of dissatisfaction with the Maldivian government, the exiled opposition leader told the Indian press. “I’m a convict and I was sentenced to 13 years in jail for terrorism. And yet, I’ve been invited to India. There […]
The opposition has launched a social media campaign urging Bollywood superstar Sir Amitabh Bachchan to cancel an upcoming trip to the Maldives. The legendary actor is scheduled to speak at the annual session of the World Health Organisation’s regional committee for Southeast Asia due to begin on September 6 at the Paradise Island Resort near Malé. Bachchan […]
Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has urged the security forces to stop the electoral body from holding parliamentary by-elections in six constituencies, a move he contended would be in defiance of an ambiguous Supreme Court decision. Speaking at a rally of the four-party opposition coalition Monday night, Gayoom said the Elections Commission was acting in […]
The former chief judge of the criminal court has accused the police of withdrawing security for his family after he threatened to expose “the evil-doing of ignorant tyrants”. “If you think that taking away the security of my wife and children would scare me you are mistaken. Come kill me if you have the guts,” Judge […]
Home Minister Azleen Ahmed visited Jumhooree Party leader Gasim Ibrahim in hospital Monday night as an envoy of the president amid criticism over delays in authorising medical leave for the convicted opposition lawmaker. The 67-year-old business tycoon was found guilty of attempted bribery last Friday and sentenced in absentia to more than three years in […]
The Elections Commission has called parliamentary by-elections after a much anticipated Supreme Court decision on the disputed status of four lawmakers saw both sides claim victory with opposing interpretations. Citing article 74 of the constitution, which requires the apex court to determine “any question concerning the qualifications or removal or vacating of seats”, the Supreme […]
Hussain Fiyaz Moosa, the chief operating officer of the opposition-aligned Raajje TV, has been found not guilty on a charge of assaulting a police officer while covering a bomb scare in November 2015. The veteran journalist was accused of hitting Corporal Mohamed Shaheen during his arrest for refusing to leave the sports complex area of Malé […]