Author: Ahmed Rilwan

Maldives backs UN HRC probe into claims of Israeli violations in Gaza

The Maldives has voted in favor of a UN Human Rights Council independent inquiry into Israel’s violations of international humanitarian and human rights laws in Palestine, particularly in the Gaza strip

The council resolution passed on Wednesday with the support of 29 of the 46 member council. The US voted against the resolution, while seventeen countries, including many European states, abstained from the vote.

The inquiry’s aim is to “establish the facts and circumstances of such violations and of the crimes perpetrated and to identify those responsible,” as well as to find ways to protect civilians.

The HRC condemned “the widespread, systematic and gross violations of international human rights and fundamental freedoms”  and called for and end to all attacks against civilians.

Calling for an immediate end to the illegal closure of the occupied Gaza Strip, the council called on the international community to provide urgent humanitarian assistance and expressed concern over the condition of Palestinians in Israeli detention centers.

Timely Action

During the special session, the Maldives criticised the HRC, arguing that “more timely action should have been taken on this issue by this council.”

The Maldives representative Ambassador-at-large Abdulla Hameed said the country strongly condemns the Israeli “mass killings and the daily massacre of innocent civilians” and called on Israel to “immediately stop the killing and start respecting human life and human dignity and immediately withdraw from the Gaza strip.”

Without naming specific states, the Maldives also criticised “the countries that provides arms and finances that enables Israel to carry out the killings.”

Such  weapons and funds are “taking away the lives of pregnant women, infants and babies,” said Hameed, who said the Maldives demanded an end to such assistance.

The Maldives expressed concern over a “mellow reaction” from larger states, urging the international community to put all its efforts toward a long term resolution to the Middle-East conflict.

Accusing Israel of deliberately targeting hospitals and ambulances, the Maldives demanded that humanitarian agencies be provided unfettered access to Gaza.

At the UN Security Council’s July 22 session, the Maldives suggested a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire, stating that the realisation of peace in the region will not be achieved “until bold decisions are made” in the council to “fulfill its mandate as outlined in the charter of the United Nations in protecting the vulnerable.”

At the council meeting yesterday, the Maldives called for a de-escalation of hostilities, restoration of calm , and the reopening of the Gaza strip based on the 2005 agreement on movement and access.

“The Maldives reiterates its enduring support for the legitimate and inalienable right to the Palestinian people to freedom, justice and dignity,” its representative said.

Donations

Meanwhile, the Gaza Fund established by the religious Adhaalth Party (AP) and civil society groups had received over MVR1.4 million (US$95,600) by Wednesday (July 23), a party representative told Minivan News today.

Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) leader Mohamed Nasheed has now called on Maldivians to donate to the fund after previously suggesting it was “unwise” to donate to a fund established by the AP -questioning the party’s previous use of the Mosque Fund.

Saying that the organisers has assured the funds would be utilised to help the people of Gaza, Nasheed called on everyone to donate whatever is possible.

“We should always aim to assist those who are less fortunate than us, we must help those Muslims who are living under worse conditions than we are. We should always consider their situation,” he said speaking at a collection box in Malé.

The Maldivian Red Crescent (MRC) also began a fund raising programme this week, responding to an emergency appeal for US$14.7 million by the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS).

Collections for the programme will continue until August 15 through MRC bank accounts and donation boxes at public spaces. MRC branches outside Malé will also collect donations, which will be used provide medical supplies and shelter in Palestine, said the PRCS.

The Dhivehi Language Academy has organised a debate on the Palestinian issue, to be aired on local channels on the Independence Day (July 26). The topic for the debate is ‘A permanent solution to the Palestinian issue have not been reached because the Muslims are not united’.

Lasr Friday’s national sermon also concentrated on the Gaza crisis, lamenting the loss of “Muslim holy lands” and destruction of Muslim lands by “enemies of Muslims.”

“Great crimes which was never seen before in the history of humanity are being carried out by the Zionist system against the beloved people of Palestine. Violent acts are being carried out against them after keeping them under occupation for several years and depriving them of many human rights,” read the July 18 sermon.

The sermon also expressed grief over the failure of major global powers to end the attacks and called on Maldivians to protest “without disturbing foreign institutions within the country” and in accordance to the laws. It stated that  working to end “the brutal war against Gaza” is a religious obligation and trying to “stop those atrocities is something every Muslims must do.”

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MACL staff protest discrimination in annual bonus

An estimated 150 employees of the state-owned Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) demonstrated over discrimination in bonus payouts today.

The protests started on Tuesday morning after leaked documents indicated senior management and an estimated 200 staff members working at the duty free shops were to receive a percentage of profits while other employees were only to receive an amount equivalent to their basic salaries.

Speaking to Minivan News, a staff members who took part in the protests said senior staff and duty free staff were to receive up to MVR80,000 (US$5188) while most staff members were to receive between MVR6000 (US$389) and MVR15000 (US$972).

“Around 1900 employees are to receive an amount equivalent to their basic salaries, which comparatively is a very low amount. Their [management] justification is that duty free employees reached a profit target. But there are others who work as hard, and earn the company as much money in other departments,” she said.

A handful of senior level employees in some departments would receive between MVR25,000 and MVR50,000 (US$1621 – US$3242), she said.

“This is a huge difference, a huge discrimination which is against the company’s general human resource policy. Most of us are giving our hundred percent to the company, and our work brings in as much money as the duty free staff,” the protesting staff member said.

The demonstrations were peaceful and not intended to obstruct airport operations in the airport, she continued.

“We stood up for our rights, we are not against the management nor did we have any intention to obstruct the operations here. We were demanding an explanation.”

Managing Director of MACL, Ibrahim ‘Bandhu’ Saleem, met the protesters yesterday and told them the company board will hold discussions and reach a decision on the matter as soon as possible.

In response, protesters today demanded a deadline for the decision. Subsequently, the company issued a circular stating that bonus payouts will be revised and a decision will be made before August 31. The circular was changed a second time to specifically mention that the issue will be resolved in an equitable manner on the protesters’ demands.

An MACL spokesman told Minivan News today that the leaked document was not an official one and no decisions have been made yet over the distribution of bonuses.

“The management have discussed the issue with the protesting staff members now and it is settled. Everyone has gone back to work. It all started with a leaked document, which is not final in anyway. The bonus amounts would be announced before August 31,” he said.

The decision to grant annual bonus to employees was made after a staff members protested its discontinuation in March. At the time the employees also raised the issue of the poor quality of food provided at the staff cafeteria.

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Immigration deports 6,400 undocumented workers, holds 159 in detention

The Department of Immigration and Emigration deported 6,400 migrant workers between January and July and is currently holding 159 workers in detention.

According to the department, barring a handful arrested on criminal offenses, all were undocumented – some having worked illegally for up to 12 years.

“This is not just a programme we carry out for this period, it will be a continuous process,” said Controller of Immigration Hassan Ali, who also promises action against employers.

“We have been warning about this for several years now, but there will be no warning anymore. We are taking action.”

The controller has made assurances that immigration staff are aware of the risk of deporting trafficking victims, and said that no legal rights were being infringed upon during the detention of migrant workers.

He urged small businesses to ensure recruitment agencies provide the correct information to migrant workers prior to their arrival. He also revealed long term plans to check company immigration records before awarding government contracts.

The current special operation to deport undocumented workers was announced on April 24, with Minister of Defence and National Security Mohamed Nazim – also in charge of the immigration department – promising “the whole Malé will be cleaned [of migrant workers]” within three weeks.

In December 2013 the department also conducted a voluntary repatriation program to allow for the regularisation of workers through easier documentation processes and the option to return legally after six months.

Those detained under the current programme are deported as soon as possible, and will be unable to return to the Maldives within the next ten years.

Their documents are arranged through their respective foreign offices and the travel fare is arranged with money deposited at the department prior to their arrival, or through their employers.

Trafficking risk

The Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) has previously expressed concern over the programme, stating that victims of human trafficking may also be deported.

While the national anti-trafficking steering committee established under the new Anti-Trafficking Act has drafted a national guideline of internationally accepted standards, it is yet to be approved and used at a national level.

“No, we do not have such a standard at the moment,” Hassan Ali told Minivan News this week.

“However, our staff have taken part in programmes conducted by organisations like IOM [International Organization for Migration] and ILO [International Labor Organization] on human trafficking. They are well aware of indicators of trafficking and have identified some cases and forwarded those to the police,” the controller continued.

The 2014 US State Department’s Trafficking In Persons Report highlighted lack of procedures to identify victims among vulnerable populations, and inadequate training for officials.

The report stated that “the government penalized some victims for offenses committed as a result of being trafficked and also deported thousands of migrants without adequately screening for indications of forced labor.”

Detention

Until deportation, most workers are detained at Hulhumalé prison, or sometimes in the police custodial centers, the immigration department explained.

Hulhumalé prison, which also holds a number of convicted criminals, is being used as a detention facility for undocumented workers as the immigration department lacks its own facility.

Article 48 of the Constitution outlines rights of a person during arrest or detention – rights extended to immigrants – which include the right to an attorney, and to be brought before a judge within 24 hours to determine the validity of the detention.

Referring to the phrasing of the article, which states that only “a person detained for being accused of a crime” has the right be brought before a judge, Hassan said it does not apply to immigration detention of undocumented workers.

“I don’t even want to call this detention. We are sending them back as soon as we can, sometimes immediately, sometimes within a day. But sometimes it takes longer than that,” he said.

He added that the department was authorised under the Immigration Act and the Parole Act.

Article 21 of the Immigration Act states that it is unlawful for anyone without proper documentation to remain in the Maldives, authorising the controller to detain such persons, at a place of his choosing, until deportation.

Prominent lawyers have noted that, while the detention is valid, it is important to ensure it does not extend beyond a reasonable period of time and that the  HRCM should ensure their rights are guaranteed during that period.

Minivan News understands the Hulhumalé Prison was recently visited by HRCM, who are mandated to monitor places of detention under the Human Rights Commission Act, the Anti-Torture Act, and the UN Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture.

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Maldives to boycott Israeli products, annul bilateral agreements

The Government of Maldives has today announced the boycott of Israeli products and the annulment of bilateral agreements with the country.

“President Yameen and the Maldivian citizens are with the Palestinian people”, said Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon at a press conference this afternoon.

Dunya also announced that the Maldives would join other Arab nations in co-sponsoring a resolution at this week’s special session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) calling for the protection of an independent Palestinian state and the extension of humanitarian aid.

As well as an admittedly “symbolic” boycott of Israeli products, three agreements – signed in 2009 under the administration of President Mohamed Nasheed – would now be annulled, explained the foreign minister.

The agreements involved cooperation in areas of health, culture and education, and tourism.

“I do not think Maldivians want any help from Israel or want to keep up relations with Israel. So from now on, the agreements have been annulled,” she said.

While she noted that neither that former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom nor the current government believed in maintaining such relations, she stopped short of announcing the severing of diplomatic ties.

Criticising Nasheed for having established diplomatic relations with Israel, Dunya said that his current statements in support of the Palestinians could not now be accepted.

Addressing the UN General Assembly in 2009, Nasheed argued that renewed diplomatic relations with Israel would be used to reiterate the Maldives’ support for a two state solution.

Boycott

Acknowledging the impact of the Maldives’ boycott would be small, Dunya today noted that other small nations had done likewise with symbolic acts that had been appreciated by the Palestinian government.

“Even though what we give is small or symbolic, the way it is received is important. The message we want to give is we are with the Palestinian people,” said Dunya.

Explaining the boycott, Mohamed Hussain ‘Mundhu’ Shareef, minister at the President’s Office, said the government would soon announce a moratorium on the import of Israeli goods into the country after discussions with the Ministry of Economic Development and Maldives Customs Services.

While the government is calling on businessmen to join the boycott, it will still be possible for some Israeli products to enter the Maldives as the country does not check for the country of origin or manufacturers of imported products. Even so, the government will remove such products from shops in accordance with the Customs Act.

Shareef said that the Maldives may consider lifting the moratorium if the Israeli government’s violation of international resolutions stop.

Regarding other economic links, he noted that there were few tourists arriving in the Maldives from Israel and that there were no Israeli investments in the country.

“Israeli investment is not important for us. We want investments from countries with human rights practices that are acceptable to us,” said Shareef.

Israeli tourists – numbering 2,569 in 2013 – constituted 0.3 percent of total tourist arrivals. In June 2014, 254 Israeli tourists visited Maldives, a 72 percent increase from 12 months earlier.

Domestic pressure

At home, the government remains under pressure from both the opposition and civil society who have called for bolder action concerning the recent escalation of violence in Gaza.

After the opposition leader Nasheed called on human rights defenders to raise their voices against “indiscriminate killings in Gaza”, his Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) held a rally on July 12 in Malé criticising the government’s initial silence.

On the same day, President Abdulla Yameen phoned Palestinian President Dr Mahmoud Abbas to condemn “Israel’s inhuman actions”, and pledged to do everything necessary in the international arena to aid Palestinians.

Days later, thousands of Maldivians from all sides of the political spectrum gathered across the country to rally in protest against the Israeli offensive.

Nasheed has since called on MDP members to take the initiative and go to Gaza in order to act as a “human shields” protecting Palestinians.

Those who organised the nationwide rally are currently circulating a petition to be submitted to the People’s Majlis calling for a resolution to be passed by MPs.

Speaking to Minivan News, a member of the group said that over 8000 signatures had been collected in just two evenings. Working alongside civil society organisations in the atolls and local councils, many more were expected.

A second online petition has also been launched calling on the government to use Maldives’ seat in the UN HRC to request an investigation into human rights violations in Israel and Palestine and to hold discussions to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

The religious conservative Adhaalath Party, along with 11 civil society organisations, had established a donation fund to assist Palestinians affected by the ongoing conflict.

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MDP calls parliamentary debate on Supreme Court Judge Ali Hameed sex tape scandal

The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has called for a parliamentary debate on the judicial watchdog’s decision to clear Supreme Court Judge Ali Hameed of misconduct charges in a sex tape scandal.

The Judicial Services Commission (JSC) on June 25 claimed insufficient evidence to indict the judge in a court. The three sex tapes leaked on social media appear to show Hameed fornicating with three different foreign women in a Colombo hotel room.

The commission did not suspend Hameed in the course of investigations despite several sub committee recommendations.

Critics have since argued the JSC is mandated to conduct disciplinary investigations which entail different penalties than criminal investigations.

MP Imthiyaz ‘Inthi’ Fahmy in a resolution on Wednesday said the JSC decision has “closed all the doors for unveiling the truth regarding the case.”

The resolution also stated that the JSC contravened its own standards in determining misconduct in order to save Judge Hameed, and had “sacrificed judicial independence and the Constitution and prioritized [Judge] Ali Hameed’s interests” by purposefully delaying the case for over a year.

In serious cases of corruption and misconduct, allegations must be investigated promptly and the judge must be suspended until investigations are completed, Fahmy noted.

Further, the JSC decision to retain a judge perceived to be “corrupted, shamed, dishonored and blackmailed’ on the Supreme Court bench affects the freedom and independence of the apex court and undermines trust in decisions of all other courts, the resolution said.

The JSC has violated the public’s constitutionally enshrined right to a fair trial at a free and independent court, Fahmy said.

The first reading of the resolution was held on Wednesday. It will be opened up for debate within a seven day period and MPs will cast a vote to accept or reject the resolution.

Speaking to Minivan News, Fahmy said he wanted a parliamentary probe in to the JSC decision.

“The decision has set a very wrong standard, we cannot allow this to continue. The JSC does not have to use criminal standards in a disciplinary case like this, anyone familiar with law will know with that. The parliament should look in to this and hold JSC accountable,” he said.

However, given the ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) avoidance of the subject of judicial reform, Fahmy said he is skeptical of the outcome of the resolution. The PPM currently holds a majority in the parliament.

“Even so, I hope the parliament will approve this for the sake of an independent judiciary and justice. The hope is to reform the judiciary in this country,” Fahmy said.

Despite international and domestic criticism of the judiciary, President Abdulla Yameen has failed to respond to the issue. Yameen has said he left the subject out from his first presidential address due to the trust and respect he has for the judiciary.

Sex, corruption

The police formally launched an investigation against Hameedin July 2013 after still images of the sex tape began circulating on social media.

The police investigations consisted of two-parts, one concerning the content of the video and another regarding the use of the tapes to blackmail Hameed. At the time, the JSC voted not to suspend Hameed citing lack of evidence.

Soon afterwards, two more videos appearing to show Hameed engaging in sexual relations with two more foreign women surfaced on social media.

In December 2013 the police stalled investigation claiming they were unable to ascertain the identity of the man in the sex tapes.

At the time, local media Haveeru suggested the police had been unable to proceed with investigations due to the Criminal Court’s refusal to provide two key warrants in September. The warrants reportedly include a warrant to take a facial photograph of Hameed and another to search his residence.

A second JSC sub-committee to investigate the matter asked for the judge’s suspension, but JSC President Adam Mohamed refused to put the suspension to a vote.

The now defunct Maldives Bar Association in April also called for the suspension of Hameed until investigations were complete.

“Given the serious nature of allegations against Ali Hameed, that the judge continues to hold trial contravenes norms of justice, conduct of judges, and established norms by which free and democratic societies deal with cases of this nature,” the association said in a statement at the time.

In May, the police closed investigations and said it would only open the case if it receives new information.

In another leaked video , Hameed allegedly suggested he was one of then Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) presidential candidate Abdulla Yameen’s “back-ups”, and that his stand was “to do things the way Yameen wants”.

The Prosecutor General’s Office in April also filed corruption charges against Hameed over illegal transfer of credit from his state- funded mobile phone in 2010. However, the Criminal Court in May claimed case files had been destroyed in a coffee spill.

A 2010 audit report of the Department of Judicial Administration reveals that MVR13,200 (US$856) was spent out of the apex court’s budget to repair a state-owned car used by an unnamed Supreme Court Justice, later revealed in the media to be Justice Hameed.

According to the police report cited by auditors, the driver of the justice’s car was responsible for the accident, which occurred on January 23, 2011.

The Supreme Court has dismissed allegations of corruption.

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Less people eating during day time this Ramadan, reveals police statistics

The number of individuals arrested from Malé city for eating during daylight hours in Ramadan has decreased by 83 percent when compared to 2013, reveals police statistics.

Only five were arrested in the first two weeks of Ramdan for eating while 31 cases were reported in the same period last year. According to the police, two cases of eating during daylight hours were reported every day last year.

Consumption of food without a reasonable excuse during Ramadan is prosecuted as a criminal offense in the Maldives.
The cases are usually proved with testimonies of eye witnesses or the perpetrator. Those guilty are fined with MVR 150 for “disobedience to orders” under article 88 (a) of the Penal Code.

Three men were arrested on the first day of Ramadan (June 29) for smoking cigarettes while fasting. All three had criminal records. One of them was caught inside a public toilet. That same week, another man was caught eating on the stairs of his apartment building and suspected drugs were also found on the latter.

On July 1, a 37-year-old man was arrested for eating dates from a breakfast table at a Male’ mosque, just before sunset. Police told local media he had also smoked a cigarette after eating from the mosque.

In April, a man who had been caught smoking a cigarette during Ramadan in Malé was fined and in July another man was fined for chewing arecanuts during daylight hours.

A police spokesperson told Minivan News that arrests are made based on reports or if police witness individuals eating in public spaces. The police will attend to cases where people are reported to have eaten in a private place.

Both the Maldives Police Services and Islamic Scholars are creating more public awareness in order to reduce such crimes, the police said.

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Parliament rejects emergency motion on Addu power outage

The People’s Majlis on Thursday rejected an emergency motion tabled by opposition MP Rozaina Adam over ongoing power cuts in southern Addu City.

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MP for Meedhoo constituency said Addu City suffered power outages for several hours in the past two weeks. The Addu City Council had attempted to hold talks with state-owned Fenaka without any results.

A malfunction in a 750 kilowatt  generators is causing the cuts, Fenaka has said.

The people of Addu are “living in fear” as the electricity cuts had affected the street lights of the main roads connected to the Link Road – the main causeway connecting the islands in Addu. The road has not been lit for more than a week, she said and noted a thirteen year old had died in an accident in 2013 because the streetlights were out.

Addu City is the second most populous region in the country with an estimated 30,000 population.

The motion received 27 votes in favor. Two MPs abstained from the vote and 29 voted to reject the motion. Two ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) MP s representing the Addu Feydhoo and Hulhudhoo constituency voted to reject the motion.

Rejecting the motion without debate indicates that the PPM and the government do not want to resolve issues through the parliament, Rozaina said.

After the motion was rejected, oppositions MPs, Rozaina, Maradhoo MP Ibrahim Shareef and Maafannu Hulhangu MP Mohamed Falah have tabled the issue with the Government Oversight Committee and have requested relevant ministries be summoned for questioning.

Speaking at a press conference after the parliament session, Rozaina criticized the PPM saying they had rejected a case “related to a constitutional right to defend the government.”

Article 23 of the Constitution states the establishment of “an electricity system of a reasonably adequate standard on every inhabited Island” is right of every citizen which should be guaranteed by the state “within it’s ability and resources”.

Mid Hithadhoo MP Ibrahim Mohamed Didi said Addu City would be without power if there was a malfunction in a second generator.

Ramadan’s congregational prayer Taraweek was performed without power in most Addu City mosques, he claimed, and called on the Islamic Ministry to look into the issue.

Managing Director of Fenaka Mohamed Nimal today told Vnews it would take at least 45 days to bring the spare from abroad and that the repair would cost approximately MVR 5 million (US$ 324,254).

The corporation is planning to temporarily replace the generator with an 800 Kilo Watt generator – brought in for the AFC Challenge Cup football tournament recently held in Addu.

In addition to Addu city, Noonu Atoll Velidhoo and Laamu Atoll Gan are also facing power outages this Ramadan.

On Wednesday, Velidhoo residents protested outside the powerhouse after a 24 hour long powercut.

‘Noonu‘ a local new website from the Island reported that the outage came as a result of a 300 KW generator, one of the four on the Island, being out of service yesterday.

Attempts to share its load with the other three resulted in overloading and failure of another generator. The website reported in that it is a common occurrence on the island lately.

Although power cuts are relatively common during Ramadan with approximately 25 islands reporting cuts in 2012, they have been dramatically reduced this year, Nimal told Vnews.

The Laamu Atoll Gan Thundi ward electricity issue will remain unresolved throughout Ramadan until the Thundi and Mahinna wards are connected with 1200 meters of cable, he said.

The company is in the process of finding a long tern solution, he added. Fenaka has announced a MVR 141.86 million (US$ 9.2 million) project to provide round the clock electricity to all islands.

The project will provide electricity of 116 kilowatts to 2 megawatts in 78 islands and update the electricity network on thirteen Islands, Fenaka has said.

Fenaka is to acquire 77 new generators for US$ 5.9 million from China’s FuJian Yanan Power. These include 40 generators of 160 -200 kilowatts, 24 generators of 250 – 300 kilowatts and 13 of 500 -1000 kilowatts. The generators are expected to arrive in the Maldives in August.

Cables required for the project are to be procured by Sri Lanka’s Kelani Cables Company through a contract worth approximately US$ 33.9 million

A contract for the distributional boxes for the project was awarded to local Power Engineering company for approximately US$ 16.9 million.

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President Yameen does not have gang affiliations, Umar tells the Majlis

Home Minister Umar Naseer has retracted a July 2013 statement accusing President Abdulla Yameen of connections with the illegal drug trade and gangs.

The retraction came in response to a question by opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MP Fayyaz Ismail in the People’s Majlis on Wednesday.

Naseer had been summoned to the parliament today by MDP MP Rozaina Adam for questions over the Home Ministry’s programs in her constituency Addu Atoll Meedhoo.
After losing to Yameen in the ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) primaries in 2013, Naseer at a rally accused Yameen of having illicit connections to gangs, the drug trade and a role in the murder of PPM MP and Islamic scholar Dr Afrasheem Ali. The police said the murder was politically motivated.

Naseer also accused Yameen of vote rigging, claiming he had been backed by members of gangs and drug cartels and that criminals convicted of trafficking and dealing drugs were seen wearing Yameen’s campaign caps during PPM primaries.

“Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s children were with Yameen, the largest gangsters in the country were with Yameen, all the drug cartels in the country were with Yameen, the most corrupted people were with Yameen, the whole elections committee was with Yameen and a large chunk of PPM’s parliament members gathered around Yameen,” Naseer said.

He also said a suspect arrested and questioned by the police in the murder of Dr Afrasheem Ali was at the PPM office to meet Yameen.

Subsequently Naseer was dismissed from the party and went on to back Jumhooree Party (JP) candidate Gasim Ibrahim. In the second round of polls, the JP endorsed Yameen on the condition of forming a coalition government.

Naseer was appointed as the Home Minister under a cabinet slot allocated for the JP. With the coalition’s break up, Naseer is now the sole minister representing the JP.

In an exclusive interview to Minivan News in January, Naseer described his allegations against Yameen as merely “political rhetoric”.

“That was political rhetoric. We were repeating MDP’s lines. What happens in presidential primaries is that you are competing for the top position of the nation, so you use every tool you have. I am now the Home Minister, but I do not see any indication of [Yameen] being involved in such acts. If at any point I do see such an indication, I will not hesitate to investigate it.” Umar said at the time.

Yameen has also denied the allegations of corruption and afilliation with criminal organizations

A 2012 study of the Maldives’ gang culture revealed that “political and business elites” exploit gangs to carry out a range of illegal activities including the suppression of opponents and carrying out tasks to help maintain popularity or divert media attention from political issues.

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Last of the Pakistani suspects in the 24 kg heroin bust deported

The Maldives Police Services have deported two Pakistanis detained in connection to a 24 kg heroin drug bust citing insufficient evidence.

The two were the last of the eleven Pakistani nationals arrested from an Iranian boat in what the police claim to be the largest drug haul from a police operation in the country’s history.

Four Maldivians and three Bangladeshis were also arrested, but only five of the eighteen remain in custody. Six of the nine Iranians were released on the orders of the Criminal Court.

Of the three Bangladeshi nationals who were arrested from the boat, two were released by the Criminal Court on June 24. Only one remains under police custody.

All four Maldivians, including a police officer, remain in custody. Two have been transferred to house arrest, one due to ill health. The police have said the suspect had earlier suffered burns to 45 percent of his body in a fire accident. Two of the Maldivians arrested have previous records drugs related crimes, police has said.

The police have declined to reveal details of the suspects.

The street value of the drugs is estimated to be worth MVR 100 million (USD 6.5 million).

The operation

The police in March described the 24 kg heroin seize as one of the toughest operations in its history.

A sixteen member police team was involved in monitoring the movements of a local boat called “Violet” between March 4 and 10. The boat met Iran’s Hormuz at a rendezvous point 30 nautical miles outside the Maldives Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) on March 10. Hormuz had set sail from Iran’s Chahbahar seaport.

A small dinghy was offloaded from Hormuz onto Violet. When Violet reached Hulhumalé, the two local smugglers boarded the dinghy and were arrested from the island’s lagoon that night. The remaining arrests were made the next day on March 11.

The four locals arrested include the two primary smugglers, captain of Violet, and a police officer who used a local money transfer service to send money to an Iranian agent

Hormuz was caught seven nautical miles outside the Maldives’ EEZ.

In a very detailed account of the operation, police said they listened to phone conversations between the two suspected local smugglers and their Iranian counterpart and followed them police for several days.

A 46 member team comprising of the intelligence and drug enforcement department were involved in the operation, police have said.

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