Author: Minivan News

Flyme’s first seaplane en route to Maldives

Flyme has announced that the company’s first seaplane is expected to arrive in Maldives on Monday (April 28).

The Cessna 208 Caravan is a single turboprop engine, fixed-gear short-haul aircraft manufactured by Cessna. The airplane typically seats seven passengers with a pilot and co-pilot, according to Vnews.

Flyme said that the seaplane services will be open for locals, adding that more seaplanes would join the Flyme seaplane fleet in the future.

Flyme is a company under the umbrella of Villa Shipping and Trading Company, and currently serves nine local airports.

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Criminal Court refusing to accept serious cases, Deputy PG tells MPs

Deputy Prosecutor General (PG) Hussain Shameem has told MPs on parliament’s independent institutions committee that serious cases are pending at the PG office due to Criminal Court’s procedure on accepting cases.

Serious cases of corruption, drugs and child sex abuse had not reached trial because the Criminal Court was refusing to accept the cases, he said.

The court was informing the PG office that cases should be filed at the magistrate court on the home island of the accused, Shameem explained, noting that magistrate courts could not hear drug cases and that in most cases the suspect was residing in the capital.

The Criminal Court in December last year suspended all ongoing cases and decided not to accept new cases filed by the PG office, claiming the court cannot proceed with trials in the absence of a PG.

In February this year, the Criminal Court started accepting new cases after the Supreme Court issued a second ruling ordering the court to uphold the rule of law.

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Home Minister to stand trial for disobedience to order

Minister of Home Affairs Umar Naseer will stand trial for disobedience to order at the Criminal Court at 10:00 am tomorrow.

Naseer is being tried for encouraging protesters to break into the military head quarters during the violent ‘twenty two days protests’ against President Mohamed Nasheed’s government in the run up to Nasheed’s ouster on 7 February 2012.

Local media and a report by Nasheed’s Environment Minister Mohamed Aslam and National Security Advisor Ameen Faisal noted remarks by Naseer is which he asked  2,000 volunteers to storm army barracks with 50 ladders, at which point “the people inside will be with us.”

“From today onward, we will turn this protest into one that achieves results,” Umar had said, in the speech which was also aired live on television. “We know how people overthrow governments. Everything needed to topple the government of this country is now complete.” he said.

After he was summoned by the police investigation into his remarks in September 2012, Naseer said that “there will be no evidence” to prove him guilty of a criminal offence.

‘’In my statement I did not mention where to place the ladders or where to climb in using the ladders.’’ Naseer said.

If convicted, Naseer faces banishment, imprisonment or house arrest not exceeding six months or a fine not exceeding MVR 150 (US$ 10).

Naseer refused to comment on the case. The case was submitted to the Criminal Court on 12 December 2013.

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Fiyori council passes resolution to protect mangrove

Gaaf Dhaal Atoll Fiyori Island Council has passed a resolution declaring the Island’s mangrove area as protected, local media ‘Sun‘ has reported.

The resolution passed at an open public meeting on Thursday said the mangrove area at the south end of t he island is being declared protected for its unique natural features. The council noted that it is a natural breeding ground for freshwater ‘Beyngu’ (Milkfish) and shrimp, in addition to being  suitable for culturing sea cucumber.

According to the council resolution, the mangrove has sustained serious damaged following a tidal wave which hit the seaward side of the island in 2012. A large area on the beach front at the edge of the mangrove cracked open, felling trees on the beach inside the mangrove.

If the island fails to seal the area, it may cause further damage, the council noted.

The Fiyori mangrove is included in the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) list of ‘environmentally sensitive areas’ – which are not yet officially protected.

Mangroves and wetlands around the country are also being damaged due to development projects. Mangroves areas on two islands, Kulhudhufushi and Farukolhu are to be reclaimed for airport development, despite criticism from environmental organizations.

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Bipolar patient left IGMH against family’s wishes

A 41-year-old man being treated for bipolar disorder locked his brother in his room before discharging himself from Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) yesterday afternoon, CNM has reported.

According to family members, who are considering committing the man to the special needs centre at Kaafu Guraidhoo, he left the hospital without anyone in the hospital noticing.

CNM reported that police were active at the hospital when the patient escaped.

After police and family searched for him for several hours, he was found taking a Villimalé ferry by a family friend.

The patient was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 1992 and was committed to the center for people with special needs at Guraidhoo in until 2005 after which he returned to his island where he worked for a few years.

According the family, before the patient escaped, a doctor at the hospital tried to discharge him from IGMH before official confirmation for committing him to the Guraidhoo center was received.

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Individual suspected of stealing from MIRA arrested

The individual sought by police on suspicion of stealing a large sum of money from Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) has been arrested, reports local news outlet Sun Online.

Police stated that the individual was arrested at around 9:30pm last night (April 23).

“He was arrested with assistance from members of the public. He is of Bangladeshi nationality. More information will be revealed after investigation,” a police media official told Sun.

Police said earlier that the individual has been suspected of stealing MVR26,000 that had been placed on the service counter at MIRA on Sunday.

According to police, the individual stole the money from a service counter at the office on 20 April 2013. The stolen MVR26,000 was kept on the counter by another person who was at the office to pay taxes.

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Police looking for man who stole money from MIRA office

The Maldives Police Service has announced it is searching for a man who stole money from the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) office.

According to police, he stole the money from a service counter at the office on 20 April 2013. The stolen MVR26,000 was kept on the counter by another person who was at the office to pay taxes.

Police have now publicised the CCTV footage of the person at the MIRA office and requested public assistance in identifying and finding the individual.

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Gender ministry explains 5-year delay in child abuse register

The Ministry of Health and Gender has explained to local media the reasons behind the failure to compile a legally mandated registry of child abusers.

State minister Dr Aishath Ramila told Haveeru that the Child Protection Services unit – required to compile the list under the 2009 Child Sex Abuse (Special Protection) Act – did not have access to the criminal records necessary to complete the register.

“Even if we look at other countries, an Offenders Registry is always with the Police of the country. This is because all the criminal records of the offenders are within the police database,” Dr Ramila told Haveeru.

Furthermore, the minister suggested that the compact communities unique to the Maldives islands made the public naming of abusers problematic.

“For example, when the child abuser’s own children go to school, they may be bullied by other children at school. These instances may occur and we need to think about this.”

A growing number of child abuse cases have been reported to police in recent weeks, with the Human Rights Commission calling for greater awareness raising and legal protection for children.

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