Author: Minivan News

Man arrested after trying to escape from courtroom window

A man who was taken to Criminal Court for a hearing to extend his detainment period has been arrested on Saturday (March 29) after he tried to escape by jumping out of a second floor window.

Local media outlet Haveeru reported that the Criminal Court identified the man as Hassan Nashid from Gaafu Alif atoll Dhevvadhoo. He was a suspect in a drug-related case, according to the court.

The man reportedly tried to escape after the court had extended his custody by five days. After jumping out the window, the man landed near the vehicle in which he was brought in, and was immediately apprehended by the police who were standing nearby.

According to Haveeru, police said that the man is now under their custody, but declined to comment on the injuries he had sustained from jumping through the window.

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India permits 291 tonnes of pulses to be exported to Maldives until 2016-17

India has permitted exports of an estimated 291 tonnes of pulses, the shipment of which is banned, to Maldives until 2016-17, reported the Economic Times.

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade has said in a recent statement, “Export of pulses to Maldives has been permitted for the years 2014-15 to 2016-17,” reported the online media outlet.

According to the report, a source stated that although exports of pulses are banned, the Indian government ships the commodity to the neighbouring country for diplomatic purposes.

Pulses exports have been banned in India since June 2006 in order to augment the domestic supply and to check prices.

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Police conclude investigation of MP Alhan Fahmy’s stabbing

Police have forwarded a case against two suspects for prosecution after concluding its investigation into the stabbing of MP Alhan Fahmy at a restaurant in Malé on February 1.

Two suspects – Mohamed Sameeh of Shiny, Fuvahmulah, and Mohamed Naseem, of Ulfamanzil, Hithadhoo – were arrested shortly after the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party MP for Feydhoo was stabbed in the back at the Breakwater cafe’ in the artificial beach area of the capital.

The suspects have been kept in pre-trial detention since their arrest on the night of February 1.

Alhan returned to the Maldives earlier this month after undergoing treatment in Sri Lanka, walking with a crutch following initial fears that the wound received to his back may have caused permanent paralysis.

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EC announces official results of Majlis polls

The Elections Commission (EC) announced the official results last night of the parliamentary elections that took place on Saturday, March 22.

A number of ballot boxes were reopened to address complaints from candidates before the official results were announced. However, the recounts did not affect the outcome in any of the 85 constituencies.

The official results did not differ from the preliminary results announced last week.

As 189,482 out of 240,652 eligible voters cast their ballots on Saturday, voter turnout for the parliamentary polls was 78.80 percent.

The number of male voters was 95,744 while the number of female voters was 93,898.

Speaking at a press conference held last night to announce the official results, EC member Ali Mohamed Manik noted that 52 out of 75 complaints lodged at the national complaints bureau had been addressed.

None of the remaining complaints could affect the outcome, he said.

Under electoral laws, candidates could file cases at the High Court within 14 days if they are unhappy with decisions by the complaints bureau.

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The government to take all major lands from Malé City Council

Following a cabinet decision on Tuesday, the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure has decided to take all major lands in Malé City from the city council.

Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Dr Mohamed Muiz today told Haveeru that the lands that will be taken from the council including the artificial beach, carnival area, south harbour area, lands near the T-Jetty, Usfasgandu, and Dharubaaruge.

Muiz told that the decision was made to develop these lands under a master plan formulated by the ministry, and that it was not because of any problems existing between the council and the ministry.

“We are taking almost all big lands [in Malé]. We will very soon inform the council in writing that those have been taken [from the council]. We will work with the council. I don’t think this will create any problems,” Muiz said.

The government has the authority to take such lands to utilise them for social and economic purposes. He said that all arrangements of transfer, including the issue of any existing contracts with a private party, will be dealt according to the laws and regulations.

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Police investigating child sex trafficking case

Police have arrested 45-year-old man from Lhohi in Noonu atoll on suspicion of  sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl after deceiving her with the promise of an education in the capital, Malé city.

According to Maldives Police Service, the man sexually abused the girl on several occasions during her stay in Malé with him. He then took her to Lhohi claiming that she could get a better education in Lhohi than in Malé.

After being arrest on March 13 in Lhohi Miladhoo, the court has extended his detention for 15 more days. The case is being investigated by Manadhoo police station.

The same man is also also suspected of sexually abusing another 13 year old girl, also from Lhohi.

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Majlis elections: Full list of MPs-elect

The following is a list of MPs-elect to the 18th People’s Majlis based on preliminary results announced by the Elections Commission along with their win percentages.

The Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) won 33 seats, and its coalition partners the Jumhooree Party (JP) and the Maldives Development Alliance (MDA), 15 and 5 seats respectively.

Independent candidates took five constituencies and the Adhaalath Party just a single constituency for the 18th Majlis.

HAA ALIF ATOLL

Hoarafushi – Mohamed Ismail (MDA) 50.76%

Ihavandhoo – Mohamed Abdulla (JP) 47.67%

Kelaa – Ali Arif* (PPM) 56.73%

Baarah – Ibrahim Shuja (PPM) 61.37%

Dhidhoo – Abdul Latheef Mohamed (IND) 40.03%

HAA DHAAL ATOLL

Nolhivaram – Hussain Areef (JP) 28.52%

Vaikaradhoo – Mohamed Nazim (MDP) 36.41%

Kulhudhufushi North – Abdul Gafoor Moosa* (MDP) 46.46%

Kulhudhufushi South – Mohamed ‘Kutti’ Nasheed* (PPM) 40.89%

Makunudhoo – Anara Naeem (Adhaalath) 45.80%

Hanimadhoo – Hussain Shahudhy (JP) 38.04%

SHAVIYANI ATOLL

Kanditheemu – Mohamed Hussain* (JP) 53.15%

Milandhoo – Hassan Mufeed Abdul Gadhir (JP) 48.07%

Komandoo – Ahmed Nashid (MDP) 47.50%

Funadhoo – Ali Saleem* (PPM) 39.71%

NOONU ATOLL

Kendhikolhudhoo – Ali Mauroof (MDA) 54.39%

Manadhoo – Umar Hussain (MDA) 50.30%

Velidhoo – Abdulla Yameen (MDP) 43.63%

Holhudhoo – Ali Mohamed* (MDP) 36.29%

RAA ATOLL

Alifushi – Mohamed Rasheed Hussain ‘Bigey’ (MDP) 50.68%

Ungoofaru – Jaufar Daud (PPM) 41.99%

Dhuvaafaru – Mohamed Ali (PPM) 37.82%

Inguraidhoo – Ibrahim Falah (PPM) 35.67%

Madduvari – Mohamed Ameeth Ahmed Manik (PPM) 51.67%

BAA ATOLL

Thulhaadhoo – Nazim Rashad* (MDP) 49.78%

Eydhafushi – Ahmed Saleem* (PPM) 52.66%

Kendhoo – Ali Hussain (JP) 51.63%

LHAVIYANI ATOLL

Hinnavaru – Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (MDP) 52.65%

Naifaru – Ahmed Shiyam (IND) 34.49%

Kurendhoo – Abdul Bari Abdulla (MDP) 45.92%

KAAFU ATOLL

Kaashidhoo – Faisal Naseem (JP) 50.12%

Thulusdhoo – Mohamed Waheed Ibrahim (PPM) 57.74%

Guraidhoo – Ibrahim Riza* (PPM) 52.84%

ALIF ALIF ATOLL

Mathiveri – Hussain Mohamed* (JP) 51.26%

Thohdoo – Ibrahim Hassan (JP) 51.62%

ALIF DHAAL

Maamigili – Gasim Ibrahim* (JP) 82%

Mahibadhoo – Ahmed Thoriq (IND) 35.76%

Dhagethi – Ilham Ahmed* (JP) 63.75%

VAAVU ATOLL

Felidhoo – Ahmed Marzooq (MDP) 50.43%

Keyodhoo – Moosa Nizar Ibraim (JP) 54.91%

MEEMU ATOLL

Dhiggaru – Ahmed Nazim* (PPM) 60.22%

Mulaku – Ibrahim Naseer (MDP) 45.01%

FAAFU ATOLL

Bileydhoo – Ahmed Mubeen (JP) 50.74%

Nilandhoo – Abdulla Haleel (IND) 43.88%

DHAAL ATOLL

Meedhoo – Ahmed Siyam Mohamed* (MDA) 55.45%

Kudahuvadhoo – Ahmed Amir* (MDA) 52.39%

THAA ATOLL

Vilufushi – Riyaz Rasheed* (PPM) 59.66%

Kinbidhoo – Abdulla Riyaz (JP) 54.87%

Thimarafushi – Mohamed Musthafa** (MDP) 49.51%

Guraidhoo – Hussain Manik Dhon Manik (PPM) 69.26%

LAAMU ATOLL

Isdhoo – Ahmed Rasheed Ibrahim* (PPM) 37.48%

Gan – Ismail Fayyaz (MDP) 52.24%

Fonadhoo – Abdul Raheem Abdulla* (PPM) 58.67%

Maavashu – Ahmed Azhan Fahmy (PPM) 52.84%

GAAFU ALIF

Villigili – Saudh Hussain (PPM) 40.56%

Dhaandhoo – Ahmed Assad (PPM) 44.88%

Gemanafushi – Jameel Usman (PPM) 49.60%

GAAF DHAAL

Thinadhoo North – Saudhulla Hilmy (PPM) 53.53%

Thinadhoo South – Abdulla Ahmed (JP) 53.24%

Fares-Maathoda – Hussain Mohamed Latheef (PPM) 38.41%

Madaveli – Muaz Mohamed Rasheed (IND) 41.10%

Gahdhoo – Ahmed Rasheed (PPM) 56.13%

FUVAHMULAH

Fuvahmulah North – Ali Shah (PPM) 50.60%

Mid-Fuvahmulah – Ali Fazadh (PPM) 50.91%

Fuvahmulah South – Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed* (PPM) 57.49%

ADDU CITY

Hulhudhoo – Mohamed Shahid (PPM) 49.74%

Feydhoo – Ibrahim Didi (PPM) 45.01%

Maradhoo – Ibrahim Shareef (MDP) 46.22%

Hithadhoo North – Mohamed Aslam* (MDP) 52.66%

Mid-Hithadhoo – Ibrahim Mohamed Didi (MDP) 43.08%

Hithadhoo South – Ali Nizar (MDP) 47.90%

Meedhoo – Rozaina Adam* (MDP) 35.62%

MALE’ CITY

Hulhuhenveiru – ‘Reeko’ Moosa Manik* (MDP) 45.39%

Mid-Henveiru – Ali Azim (MDP)** 52.45%

Henveiru South – Mohamed Abdul Kareem ‘Rukuma’ (MDP) 58.76%

Henveiru North – Abdulla Shahid* (MDP) 52.85%

Galolhu North – Eva Abdulla* (MDP) 61.97%

Galolhu South – Ahmed Mahloof* (PPM) 64.13%

Manchangoalhi North – Mariya Ahmed Didi* (MDP) 53.06%

Manchangoalhi South – Abdulla Sinan (PPM) 50.51%

Maafanu North – Imthiyaz Fahmy* (MDP) 64.34%

Maafanu West – Mohamed Falah (MDP) 50.72%

Mid-Maafanu – Asma Rasheed (PPM) 51.56%

Maafanu South – Abdulla Rifau (PPM) 51.60%

Vili-Malé- Ahmed Nihan Hussain Manik* (PPM) 58.38%

*Incumbent

**Elected to 17th People’s Majlis but stripped of seat by the Supreme Court

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Saudi Arabia donates 50 tonnes of dates to Maldives

Saudi Arabia has given the Maldives 50 tonnes of dates in celebration of the holy month of Ramdan, local media has reported.

Islamic Minister Sheikh Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed told Haveeru that the annual gift would be shipped to the country soon, after which he would decide on how the dates ought to be distributed.

The dates – a traditional gift from the Arab kingdom to the Maldives since 1988 – will be stored by the State Trading Organisation before being distributed by the Local Government Association.

Ramadan will fall at the end of June this year.

Growing links between the two countries in recent months have seen moves to increase educational and aviation links, as well as a Saudi pledge to build ten “world class” mosques by Saudi Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz during a recent visit to the Indian Ocean nation.

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