A digest of news and opinion from the Maldives.
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 […]
MDP PG leader Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (L) and Dhiggaru MP Faris Maumoon at an opposition press conference. Main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s parliamentary group leader Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Dhiggaru MP Faris Maumoon will take the helm of the parliament as the speaker and deputy speaker respectively after the joint opposition succeeds in impeaching […]
Former President Mohamed Nasheed. PHOTO/AHMED AZIM Convicted former President Mohamed Nasheed has admitted that the arbitrary detention of the then Chief Judge of the Criminal Court, Abdulla Mohamed, during his presidency which had eventually landed Nasheed in jail, was not “the best thing to do”. Nasheed, who is currently in India, said in an interview […]
Jumhooree Party leader Gasim Ibrahim has been rushed to the hospital after collapsing at the criminal court Thursday afternoon. The 65-year-old opposition lawmaker fainted inside the courtroom during a closed-door hearing of his bribery trial. He was rushed out on a stretcher and taken on an ambulance to the ADK private hospital. The court heard […]
The People’s Majlis broke for a one-month recess Thursday after voting on the president’s nominee for central bank governor amid continuing protests by opposition lawmakers. Ahmed Naseer was approved to the vacant post with 33 votes in favour from the 85-member house as opposition lawmakers protested behind a wall of soldiers surrounding embattled Speaker Abdulla […]