Maldives headlines

The Maldives Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) decided to cease operating the Club Faru resort as of May 15 this year, according to local media.

“They were 987 miles away from the Maldives, 300 miles off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia,” Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Spokesperson Colonel Abdul Raheem told Minivan News today. “After so many days they are in good condition, a bit weak, but ok. It is very good news, we are happy they have been found in good health,” he added.

Referring to Chief of Defence Force Major General Ahmed Shiyam's remarks earlier in the week, Attorney General Aishath Bisham echoed that a number of Maldivian youth had enrolled themselves in terrorist groups and training camps abroad.

Part one of a series by Judicial Services Commission whistleblower Aishath Velezinee, unpacking former UN Project Director Aminath Naaz's report, 'Access to Justice in the Maldives: Through the Eyes of a Colourless Lens'.

Police have pressed charges against two suspects allegedly involved in the attack on Raajje TV Reporter Ibrahim ‘Aswad’ Waheed.

Opposition MDP spokesperson Hamid Abdul Ghafoor has alleged attempts to ascribe a political motive to the killing and implicate the son-in-law of the party's chairperson was "very much related to trying to absolve religious fundamentalists of the crime."

Commissioner of Police Abdulla Riyaz has alleged politicians are often responsible for encouraging gang-related activities in the capital island Male’.

MDP's legal team alleged senior Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) officials pointed out to the police who to arrest and were now providing the witness statements against the MDP protesters in court, in absence of other evidence.

"Throughout the year, authorities were accused of political bias for fast-tracking the prosecution of opposition supporters accused of criminal behaviour during rallies while failing to prosecute police and others suspected of committing human rights abuses during the same protests," the international human rights organisation stated in its 2013 annual report.

A Maldivian national reported missing earlier this month after leaving the island of Fares-Maathoda in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll in a dinghy has been discovered by a foreign vessel 900 miles from Maldivian waters (May 22).

The child’s mother began to suspect “something was wrong”, a source from the island told local media.

"Some of our youth have already joined up with terrorist organisations. They are now travelling to various war zones and locations and enrolling in a number of terrorist training camps," revealed Chief of Defence Force Major General Ahmed Shiyam.

A total of 50 eligible companies have failed to pay Business Profit Tax (BPT) to the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) by last month's deadline, local media has reported.

Both opposition and government-aligned parties competing directly against President Dr Mohamed Waheed in September have alleged that even with new EC regulations in place, there were concerns that the incumbent was using state resources to influence voters.

Hussain Humam, of Male’s Henveiru Lobby, told the Criminal Court today (May 22) that he carried out the fatal attack on Afrasheem with Ali Shan of Male’s Henveiru Hikost, and that the juvenile suspect in the case was also present.

The UN country team in the Maldives has issued a statement calling for the abolition of both corporal punishment and the death penalty in the Maldives.

Maleesha Hajj Group owner Islmail Abdul Latheef, who is being accused of fraudulently collecting funds from Maldivians who wanted to perform Hajj in Mecca last year, has denied charges against him in the Criminal Court.

The Civil Court has ruled that it has no reason to issue an injunction to halt a decision made by the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM)'s disciplinary committee regarding Umar Naseer, and have rejected his request.

President Dr Mohamed Waheed has called on the people of the Maldives to put “national stability” ahead of political affiliations, local media has reported.

The Housing Development Corporation (HDC) has said 31 parties have expressed interest in developing residential complexes and row house units on the island of Hulhumale', according to local media.