Category: News in Brief

Police return MVR 6 million confiscated from accused drug lord

Police have returned MVR 6 million (US$461,500) confiscated from suspected drug lord, Adam Naseem of H. Reendhooge, according to local media.

Naseem was accused by the Nasheed government in 2009 of being one of the country’s top six drug lords. He was arrested in mid-2009 and the police investigation lasted nearly a year.

Police searched Naseer’s home in Addu Atoll on June 30, 2009, where they found over MVR 6 million (US$461,500) in cash and a tin containing drugs outside his house.

However, the Criminal Court acquitted Naseer on the grounds that the state had not been able to convince the court that the money found inside his house was earned through drug trafficking, or that the tin belonged to him.

The state appealed the case at the High Court, which upheld the lower court’s not guilty verdict.

In May 2010, Naseem sued police seeking the return of the money.

Naseem reportedly told local newspaper Haveeru that police had not yet returned the registration of his motorbike and car, or cheques he claimed were worth a further MVR 6 million.

In June 2011, a report compiled by the presidential commission following an inquiry into Naseer’s controversial acquittal was leaked online.

The findings of the report suggested that shortcomings in the police investigation and weak evidence were responsible for the failure to convict one of the “top six drug lords” identified by police.

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Police seize 147 bottles of alcohol from safari boat

Police have seized 147 bottles of alcohol and 498 cans of beer stored in a safari boat docked at Hulhumale’, and arrested two persons in connection with the case.

Police said the alcohol found on the safari boat was not stored in compliance with regulations made to have alcohol aboard safari boats for tourism purposes.

According to police, a 44 year-old Maldivian and a 39 year-old Bangladeshi man were arrested in connection with the case.

Police said the 44 year-old Maldivian was arrested yesterday morning (April 22) while he was near the Maya Clinic in Maafannu ward, following reports police received that he was trafficking alcohol.

Three bottles of alcohol were discovered inside a bag he was carrying when police stopped and searched him, police said.

Police said that following further information police received from the Maldivian man, the Bangladeshi man was arrested in a special operation police conducted by Drug Enforcement Department.

Police investigation into the case continues.

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Man sentenced to one year in jail for carrying a knife “without a valid reason”

A man has been sentenced to one year in prison for carrying a knife on the street, reports local media.

Fahud Moahmed was found guilty of “carrying a sharp object in a public place without valid reason”, following witness testimony that he was seen with the knife on a thoroughfare in Male’.

Moahmed could not provide the court with a reason why he was carrying the knife.

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Maldives Bar Association established

The Maldives Bar Association is being established to build legal capacity, lobby, and address problems faced by lawyers in the judiciary, reports local media.

The association will also aim to improve the educational standard of lawyers as well as hold problem solving discussions.

The association was founded by Attorney General Husnu Al Suood, Lawyer Ismail Wisham, Company Registrar of Economic Ministry Ali Shujau, Fayaz Ismail and Aishath Sheeza, according to local media.

It was registered with the Ministry of Home affairs April 11.

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Government appoints new deputy gender minister

Shidatha Shareef has been appointed Deputy Minister of Gender, Family and Human Rights, the President’s Office has today announced.

Shareef’s appointment comes the same month that former Attorney General (AG) Azima Shukoor was made Gender Minister as part of a cabinet reshuffle.

According to the government, the reshuffle was made to support proposed legal reforms concerning the treatment of victims of sexual abuse following the recent high-profile case of a 15 year-old girl charged with fornication.

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Man arrested for allegedly producing 17 barrels of alcohol

A man in Vilimale’ was arrested for allegedly producing alcohol, reports local media.

The police services have told local media they found 17 barrels contain a substance substance suspected to be alcohol, six empty 5-litre bottles of alcohol, and equipment that could be used to produce alcohol.

Police arrested the 29-year-old Bangladeshi following a special operation and the case is now under investigation.

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IGMH may reduce employees following review

Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) may reduce the number of workers employed at the site following a health institution structural review, local media has reported.

During former President Mohamed Nasheed’s administration, IGMH employees were transferred under the Health Corporation.

However, under the current administration of President Dr Mohamed Waheed, Health Minister Dr Ahmed Jamsheed then transferred all Health Corporation employees to government civil service November 1, 2012.

An IGMH official told local media that the hospital is “largely under the civil service structure” and the regular payment of salaries and allowances has been changed “according to service regulations,” however further changes are still needed.

“The change in structure was brought about after a delay of more than six months,” the official said.

Changes in the hospital’s structure and a “shuffle” of management are expected following the review, since civil service posts have duplicated some Health Corporation positions and so far the review shows the number of employees is “a little bit high”.

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President invited to 4th International Islamic Conference of Bait Al Maqdis

President Dr Mohamed Waheed has been invited to attend the 4th International Islamic Conference of Bait Al Maqdis in Palestine as guest of honour, the President’s Office has confirmed.

President Waheed has been invited to the conference, which is scheduled to take place in early June, by his  Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas on the back of ongoing efforts to expand bilateral relations with the Maldives.

The President’s Office said that Dr Waheed’s invitation was personally delivered yesterday (April 21) by the Ambassador of Palestine accredited to the Maldives, Dr Anwar Al-Agha.

After handing over the invitation, the ambassador also praised president Waheed’s work to uphold Islamic culture in the Maldives, while also commending his efforts to strengthen bonds with Arab countries.

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MNDF soldiers’ rights to political participation “curbed” under law: Defence Minister Nazim

Minister of Defence and National Security Colonel (Rtd) Mohamed Nazim said that he would “not allow room for politics within the military”, according to local media.

The comments were made today as part of a speech given at a flag hoisting ceremony to mark the 121st anniversary of the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF).

MNDF soldiers must forgo rights granted to civilians, refrain from politics, and limit their political participation to voting only, as stipulated in the Constitution and military law, Nazim was quoted as saying by Sun Online .

“Every soldier has to accept that some of the rights granted to a civilian in an open society are restricted to a soldier. One of these rights is the right to participate in political activities. I would like to tell you that the constitution and the military law have curbed these rights from the soldier for a greater and larger purpose,” Nazim stated, according to local media.

“I would like to tell you today, that the role of a soldier is done once you exercise your right to cast your vote, entitled to every person above the age of 18. I would like to bid from all military personnel to refrain from partaking in political activities,” Nazim added.

Nazim also “assured” soldiers he will not issue political orders as long as he remains Minister of Defence.

Article 30(a) of the Maldivian constitution stipulates that “Every citizen has the right to establish and to participate in the activities of political parties.”

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