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Two immigration officers and Afrasheem murder suspect among group of twelve jihadis

Two immigration officers and a suspect in the brutal murder of MP Dr Afrasheem Ali are among a group of twelve Maldivians to travel to Syria for jihad, reliable sources have told Minivan News.

Afrasheem murder suspect, Azlif Rauf of Henveiru Hilton, left to Turkey with six members of Malé’s Kuda Henveiru gang four days ago, sources have said. They have now crossed the border into Syria.

The two immigration officers were among a group of six individuals who traveled to Syria on December 27. The five included two women and a one year old infant.

Azlif’s group also included an individual arrested over the disappearance of Minivan News journalist Ahmed Rilwan, one man arrested for issuing a death threat, one man classified by the police as a dangerous criminal, and three men with criminal records, local media have reported.

The Maldives Police Services declined to comment on the report.

According to Haveeru, Azlif had attempted to take his pregnant wife, one-year-old son and four-year-old daughter with him, but his wife’s family had prevented them from accompanying him.

Hussain Humam Ahmed, now serving a life sentence over the Afrasheem murder, named Azlif and five others in the organising of the killing in October 2012. Humam later retracted the confession claiming it had come under duress.

The police have forwarded accomplice to murder charges against Azlif to the Prosecutor General’s Office, but charges have not yet been filed at the Criminal Court.

The Criminal Court in December fined Azlif and ordered him to pay back a MVR50,000 loan to the Bank of Maldives.

An investigative report published by Maldivian Democratic Network (MDN) identified Azlif’s brother Arlif Rauf as the owner of a red car which may have been used in an abduction reported on the night Minivan News journalist Ahmed Rilwan disappeared.

Eyewitnesses told Minivan News they saw a man being forced into a red car at knifepoint in front of Rilwan’s apartment building around the time he would have reached home on August 8.

According to MDN’s report, police were investigating Arlif’s car for having been illegally imported to Hulhumalé on August 4, and returned to Malé sometime between August 13 – 15.

It also suggested gang leaders had been exposed to radical Islam during incarceration in prison, saying that they openly supported the actions of the Islamic State in Iraq and recruited jihadists for the war in Syria and Iraq.

Last month, Home Minister Umar Naseer reported that there are more than seven Maldivians fighting in foreign civil wars.

In November, a jihadist media group called Bilad Al Sham Media (BASM) – which describes itself as ‘Maldivians in Syria’ – revealed that a fifth Maldivian had died in Syria.

BASM had made a threat to Rilwan shortly before his disappearance in which they stated ‘his days were short’.

Earlier in November, Sri Lankan police detained three Maldivians who were allegedly preparing to travel to Syria through Turkey.

The incident followed reports of a couple from Fuvahmulah and a family of four from Meedhoo in Raa Atoll travelling to militant organisation Islamic State-held (IS) territories.

This article previously incorrectly stated two immigration officers were among the group of seven Maldivians to travel to jihad in January. The officers were in fact among a group of six who traveled to Syria in December.


Related to this story

Six Maldivians reported as latest to travel for jihad, taking one-year-old infant

More than seven Maldivians fighting in foreign civil wars, reveals home minister

MDN investigation implicates radicalised gangs in Rilwan’s disappearance

Police detain Maldivian jihadis caught in Sri Lanka

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Doctors licensing examination cancelled after no show

The first licensing examination for doctors to be held in the Maldives has been cancelled after no doctors participated.

Speaking to local media, Maldives Medical Council President Dr Abdulla Afeef said that doctors chose not to participate in the examination after raising questions as to why only certain doctors were required to sit the test.

Haveeru reported that the examination was required for doctors who were given temporary licenses after 2013, saying that there were 15 Maldivian doctors fitting the criteria.

“The doctors in question were aware of the fact they were being given a temporary license to practice,” Haveeru reported Dr Afeef as saying. “The doctors will have two more chances to take the exam in June and December. If they do not participate their licenses will be cancelled.”

The Medical Council has previously said that the examination will consist of 150 multiple choice questions.

Source: Haveeru

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Dismissed Supreme Court Judges to receive extensive privileges

Former Chief Justice Ahmed Faiz and former Justice Muthasim Adnan, dismissed due to the reduction of the Supreme Court bench to five judges, are to receive extensive privileges according to a new regulation compiled by the Supreme Court.

The regulations on the privileges of judges who retire with honor awards the two judges financial benefits, security officers, a car and a driver, medical insurance in the Maldives, SAARC, and ASEAN countries, and VIP services at state offices.

The financial benefits are dependent on the length of their service to the state.

They are to receive half of their salary for a period of service of 20 years, two-thirds for a service period between 20 and 25 years, and three-quarters for over 25 years of service.

The state is to bear expenses for the driver and fuel for the car.

Faiz and Muthasim are to be addressed with the title of ‘Justice Retired’. They will be given the title at a special ceremony, the regulations said.

Faiz and Muthasim’s sudden dismissal in December garnered international condemnation, with the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers saying their removal would have “a chilling effect on the work of the judiciary at all levels”.

The People’s Majlis removed the two judges after revising the Judicature Act to reduce the seven-member Supreme Court bench to five.

The watchdog Judicial Services Commission (JSC) promptly selected Faiz and Adnan for dismissal, though the reasons for their selection were not shared with MPs who subsequently voted to dismiss both on December 14.

Critics have said the removal contravened Article 154 of the Maldives Constitution that says a judge can only be removed if the JSC finds them guilty of gross misconduct or incompetence.

The rapporteur has called for a reconsideration of the pair’s removal, noting that it had been characterised by a “lack of transparency and due process”.

“The fact that the grounds for removal were not publicized is particularly unacceptable,” added Knaul in a December 22 statement.

Commonwealth organisations said the move had “severely jeopardised” the independence of the judiciary, while the International Commission of Jurists said the “astonishingly arbitrary” decision had “effectively decapitated the country’s judiciary”.

The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) had challenged the legality of the JSC’s recommendation to dismiss the judges at the Civil Court, but the Supreme Court took control of the case.

Three lawyers also mounted a challenge to the Judicature Act revisions at the High Court, but the registrar threw the case out claiming the the original jurisdiction lay with the apex court.

The lawyers have re-submitted the case at the High Court, arguing the Supreme Court bench had a conflict of interest in the case.

The MDP meanwhile expelled MP Reeko Moosa Manik from the party and ordered five MPs to apologise for their absence from the vote on the judges’ dismissal. The party had issued a three-line whip.

Moosa has since said he refused to support Faiz after the chief justice had caused significant harm to the party in recent years, not least for his swearing in of Dr Mohamed Waheed as president following the controversial resignation of Mohamed Nasheed in February 2012.


Related to this story

Removal of Supreme Court judges will have “chilling effect” on work of judiciary: UN special rapporteur

Majlis removes Chief Justice Ahmed Faiz, Justice Muthasim Adnan from Supreme Court

ICJ says Majlis has “decapitated the country’s judiciary”

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President Yameen announces rise in teachers’ salaries

President Abdulla Yameen has announced a rise in teachers salaries from the start of the academic year this Sunday (January 11).

Speaking at a ceremony held last night at Dharubaaruge to inaugurate the salary scheme for senior players of national sporting teams, President Yameen stated that the increment will amount to over a third of the salary teachers are receiving at the moment.

Teachers strikes regarding pay and working conditions were narrowly avoided last year after the government entered into negotiations with the Teachers Association of Maldives (TAM).

Meanwhile, local media outlets have reported that the Ministry of Education will terminate the post of ‘leading teacher’.

The ministry’s Permanent Secretary Dr Abdul Muhsin stated that the school staff structure is being revised, resulting in changes to the scope of responsibility and tasks assigned to different posts.

While noting the revised staff structure has not been finalised, Muhsin assured that “all drafts of the structure have so far included the post of leading teachers”.

Last month, the ministry announced that the position of deputy principal was to be abolished, with the 188 individuals currently holding the positions transferred to different posts, and administrative staff taking their place.

Muhsin stated that he was unable to give any further details on the revised staff structure and salary hikes as neither had been finalised.

Around 90 percent of the country’s teachers protested in September last year – wearing black clothing to raise awareness over issues such as poor pay, inadequate protection of teachers, and the failure to grant the TAM official recognition.

The government avoided a full work stoppage just as strikes seemed set to go ahead, sitting down with TAM and creating a timeline in which to meet the demands of teachers.

TAM Athif Abdul Hakeem was not responding to calls at the time of publication.

In November, the Maldivian Democratic Party’s budget review committee suggested that the government had not budgeted the required MVR532 million (US$34.5 million) needed to raise the salaries of teachers despite promises made by both President Yameen and Vice President Dr Mohamed Jameel.


Related to this story

Teachers’ Black Sunday protest prompts government talks, strike decision pending

Majlis committee demands details from education ministry over deputy principals’ removal

Teachers Association threatens strike over pay discrepancies and education sector reform

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Government introduces monthly salary scheme for national athletes

The government has decided to award monthly salaries to professional athletes and sportsmen included in the national squads.

In a ceremony held last night (January 6) under the banner of ‘Our National Teams – Our Pride’, President Abdulla Yameen stated that the scheme will ensure all sportsmen and athletes officially representing the Maldives will receive at least MVR2,500 (US$162) per month.

Maldives Olympic Committee Secretary General Ahmed Marzooq described the move as a “massive step in the right direction” and congratulated the government on the decision.

Marzooq explained that the scheme ranks all athletes into categories corresponding to a different level of salary rates, with the categorisation of athletes assigned to the national sports associations.

Currently, athletes have to obtain scholarships abroad in order to pursue full time training, or must fit their training around their work lives.

“The government has decided to review the categorisation process and the way in which the national associations are utilising the money in April. This will give associations adequate time to have an idea of how best the money can be utilized”, Marzooq explained.

He also stated that as taxpayers money has now been assigned to pay for national athletes, the public and the state will demand more social responsibility from them and that proper standardisation, with regards to performance and codes of conduct, needed to be established.

Stressing the importance of proper technical evaluation of athletes by the national sports associations in determining which category they fit into, Marzook expressed joy over the fact that such a scheme had been inaugurated before the Indian Ocean Games – scheduled for August, 2015, in Reunion Island.

“This decision will definitely give a boost to the preparation for the Indian Ocean Games.”

Fourteen teams will represent the Maldives in 10 sporting events, he continued, noting that the Maldives aimed to achieve between 9 and 11 medals.

Assistant Secretary General of the Football Association of Maldives (FAM) Mohamed Nasir also welcomed government’s decision, saying that the association will conduct a technical evaluation of how the funds are to be spent.

He was unable to give further details, as FAM Technical Director Mohamed Shiyaz (Mohan) was currently on leave.


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Maldives Olympic Committee to increase women’s participation in sports

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Umar Naseer appointed acting Housing Minister

Minister of Home Affairs Umar Naseer has been appointed as acting housing minister while Dr Mohamed Muizzu is out of the country, reports local media.

Naseer’s appointment means that four of the thirteen cabinet positions are currently being held by temporary appointees.

The move follows the appointment of Minister at the President’s Office Ibrahim ‘Mundu’ Shareef as acting youth minister earlier this week – a decision some have alleged to be unconstitutional.

Additionally, Islamic minister Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has been made acting health minister, and tourism minister Ahmed Adeeb acting minister of defence. Both positions are vacant while Colonel (retired) Mohamed Nazim is away on unspecified business.

The President’s Office has denied rumours of a rift within the cabinet, saying that the temporary appointments are routine.

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Maldives to transfer 15 Sri Lankan prisoners upon request of President Rajapaksa

President Abdulla Yameen has instructed authorities to hand over all Sri Lankan prisoners in the country to the Government of Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka’s Ministry of External Affairs has said that the move comes in response to a request from President Mahinda Rajapaksa, on humanitarian grounds.

“Fifteen Sri Lankan prisoners are currently serving sentences in Maldives. They had appealed to President Rajapaksa for their transfer to Sri Lanka in order to be close to their families,” explained the Sri Lankan government.

The transfer of the prisoners comes two days after the ratification of the Maldives’ first Extradition Act and one day before Sri Lanka’s presidential elections – though it is unclear if the decision is linked to either.

After having appeared certain of victory, President Rajapaksa now faces stiff opposition from his former health minister Maithripala Sirisena in tomorrow’s poll.

Minivan News was unable to obtain comment from the President’s Office or the Attorney General’s Office, though legal experts have explained that prisoner transfer has been carried out on an ad hoc basis even before the introduction of extradition legislation.

The Majlis passed the Extradition Act on December 25, which requires the criminals to have exhausted all appeal processes and to have agreed to the transfer.

Presidents Rajapaksa and Yameen were said to have discussed expediting the exchange of prisoners during the latter’s official visit to Sri Lanka 12 months ago.

The Sri Lankan government has said that the prisoners will complete their sentences in their home country – a point that is also mandated under the new legislation

“President Rajapaksa and the Government of Sri Lanka are most appreciative of this timely goodwill gesture by President Yameen and the Government of Maldives,” read the ministry’ statement.

The case of Rubeena Buruhanudeen – an Indian national held in pre-trial detention for four and a half years in the Maldives – has this week prompted the Chief Minister of Kerala Oommen Chandy to promise steps will be taken to ensure prospective job-seekers to the Maldives are aware of the legal complications they may face.


Related to this story

President considers access for Sri Lankan vessels, rejects US military deal

Indian national Rubeena held for four and a half years without charge

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Adeeb confirms appearance of Priyanka Chopra at Akon concert

Tourism minister Ahmed Adeeb has confirmed that Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra will appear alongside US R&B singer Akon in the show scheduled for tomorrow night.

Akon’s performance was announced during the ‘Tourist Arrival Countdown Show’ on December 31, which eventually featured a host of Indian artists after the cancellation of Sean Paul’s performance.

Local dancer and renowned Priyanka superfan Suneetha Ali will also be performing with the former Miss World in Galolhu National Stadium.

In 2010, a show featuring Akon was organised – and tickets sold – before organisers cancelled, citing a lack of technical support and security. As with the Sean Paul concert, both the Islamic ministry and local religious NGO Jamiyyathul Salaf had spoken out against the show.

Adhaalath Party President Sheikh Imran Abdulla has stated on Vnews this week that the party will not differentiate between governments with regards to “anti-islamic activities”, saying that the party is working non-stop to block the Akon show.

Meanwhile Adeeb has expressed his joy over the show of support by a team of youth leaders – including opposition MP Yamin Rasheed – in promoting Thursday night’s show.

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President appoints ambassadors to India and UAE

President Abdulla Yameen has presented letters of appointment to Ahmed Mohamed and Abdulla Hameed as the high commissioner of Maldives to India and the non-resident ambassador of Maldives to the United Arab Emirates, respectively.

Parliament approved Ahmed Mohamed for the post in October with a majority of 58 votes. He had previously served as the commissioner general of customs under President Yameen’s government and as minister of economic development under President Dr Mohamed Waheed.

Hameed was appointed ambassador-at-large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by President Yameen on January 8 last year.

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