Category: News in Brief

Nasheed trial unjust, says Adhaalath President Imran

The terrorism trial of former President Mohamed Nasheed is unjust, the religious conservative Adhaalath Party (AP) President Sheikh Imran Abdulla has said.

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) leader Nasheed is being tried in the Criminal Court for allegedly ordering the arrest of the court’s Chief Judge Abdulla Mohamed in 2012 while in office. If found guilty of the charge, Nasheed faces a jail term between 10 and 15 years.

At last night’s hearing the Criminal Court judges Abdulla Didi, Abdul Bari Yoosuf, and Sujau Usman rejected Nasheed’s witnesses, saying that they would not counter the state’s claims.

“Nasheed is not being tried fairly. Treating Nasheed fairly and justly is what we believe in,” Adhaalath president Imran told VTV.

On Sunday, the party withdrew its support for President Abdulla Yameen citing “increased violence and corruption” within the government. Although Adhaalath is yet to join the opposition Jumhooree Party (JP) and MDP coalition, they have said the party would be willing to sit down for discussions.

“The tension between [political rivals] should not result in the disregarding his [Nasheed’s] rights.”

Nasheed’s legal team refused to continue with his defence yesterday, claiming the court had not given them adequate time to prepare. The Criminal Court bench presiding over Nasheed’s trial dismissed his request to hire new lawyers stating they had already been given enough time.

At every opportunity Nasheed repeated his request for legal counsel of his choosing, and reiterated his belief that the trial was unjust and unlawful.

Judge Didi was with Judge Abdulla in his home when the military had arrested him. Judge Abdulla had called Judge Bari to inform him of the arrest shortly before he was arrested.

Previously Nasheed’s lawyers had requested that judges Bari and Abdulla Didi step down from the bench. But the Criminal Court bench had ruled they had no conflict of interest which would require them to retire from the case.

Along with Nasheed, former Chief of Defence force and current Defence Minister Moosa Ali Jaleel, ex-Malé area commander for the military MP Ibrahim Didi, ex-colonel Mohamed Ziyad and Nasheed’s Defence Minister Thalhath Kaleyfaanu also face terrorism charges regarding the detention of Judge Abdulla.

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Adhaalath Party withdraws support for President Yameen

The religious conservative Adhaalath Party has withdrawn support for President Abdulla Yameen’s administration, citing a rise in violence and corruption.

“In the few days that have passed since President Yameen assumed office, corruption and violence has increased, and justice has been abandoned,” the party’s consultative council said in a statement.

“The government is misusing the public’s support and has narrowed basic rights guaranteed by the constitution. It has also undermined the independence of independent institutions and is now attempting to consolidate power by taking over the three branches of the state.”

The AP said it’s attempts to reform the system from within had been in vain.

“We don’t see how we could work with the government anymore,” the statement read.

The Jumhooree Coalition, of which AP was a member, backed President Yameen at the eleventh hour during the 2013 presidential polls. The party received the Islamic Affairs portfolio in return.

In an interview with newspaper Haveeru today, AP President Sheikh Imran Abdulla said that the party would not join the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and Jumhooree Party (JP) coalition, and preferred to work “independently.”

Sheikh Imran has been critical of President Yameen since former Defence Minister Mohamed Nazim’s arrest over charges of terrorism and treason. He has now been charged with importing and possessing illegal weapons.

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President Yameen presents ‘Rehendi Awards’

President Abdulla Yameen presented this year’s ‘Rehendi Awards’ to three women in recognition of outstanding service to national development and society.

At a function held yesterday to mark International Women’s Day, President Yameen conferred awards to Fathimath Nahula, for her achievements as a writer and film director, Shameera Adam, for outstanding work in agriculture, and Naseema Mohamed, for years of voluntary service as a mid-wife.

The Rehendi awards were launched last year with chef Juweirya Wajdhee and pastry chef Aminath Nasheedha the first recipients.

According to local media, 27 women were nominated for this year’s awards whilst the winners were chosen by the gender ministry based on an evaluation criteria that considered individual contributions to the nation.

First Lady Fathmath Ibrahim meanwhile presented commemorative brooches to the winners.

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Maldives wins third best exhibitor award at ITB Berlin

The Maldives has been awarded the third best exhibitor in the Asia, Australia and Oceania category at the ITB Berlin Exhibition 2015, the world’s leading travel and tours show.

The Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Company (MMPRC) explained a statement that the awards were handed out after bachelors and masters students at the Cologne Business School (CBS) evaluated all 11,000 booths during the first three days of the exhibition.

“These stands were assessed according to numerous criteria such as creativity, originality, service quality, sustainability and special effects,” MMPRC explained.

South Korea came in first place and India was placed second.

After accepting the award at a ceremony organised by CBS on Saturday night, MMPRC Managing Director Abdulla Ziyath thanked industry partners for their collaboration in making ITB 2015 a success.

Last week, the Maldives was named the official country partner for the 2016 ITB Berlin Convention. Egypt was this year’s country partner.

“Starting from 10th March 2015 till the beginning of ITB 2016, Maldives together with ITB will be promoting the event on different media platforms,” the MMPRC said.

The MMPRC also launched its ‘Visit Maldives 2016’ campaign at the trade show, which took place from March 4 to 8 in Berlin, Germany.

“There have recently been some negative reports about protests in Malé,” said Mohamed Khaleel, Chairman of the MMPRC.

“We are a growing nation, and everyone here knows how important tourism is for us. The problems must be resolved, and we shall do all we can to maintain security and to ensure that this sector, the backbone of our economy, is not put at risk in any way.”

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MP Didi flown overseas for medical treatment

Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MP Ibrahim Mohamed Didi is currently in India for medical treatment, reports local media.

The retired brigadier general was hospitalised at the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) on March 1 and kept at the intensive care unit (ICU) for a heart test every six hours.

A friend of the mid-Hithadhoo MP told newspaper Haveeru is being treated at a specialist hospital for heart diseases in Kerala, adding that Didi’s blood pressure was also high.

Didi’s condition was now improving, he told the local daily.

The opposition MP is currently on trial on terrorism charges – along with former President Mohamed Nasheed and senior officers of the military – over the military’s detention of Criminal Court Chief Judge Abdulla Mohamed in January 2012.

Didi was Malé Area Commander at the time of the controversial arrest. Following his hospitalisation, the Criminal Court has not scheduled any further hearings in Didi’s trial.

After the first hearing, Didi asked whether the terrorism trial was his reward for risking his life in defence of the nation during the November 3, 1988 failed coup attempt by a group of Maldivians and Tamil mercenaries.

Didi – a corporal and former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s bodyguard at the time – played a pivotal role on November 3 by carrying the keys of the armoury from Machangoalhi Kinbigasdhoshuge to the besieged military headquarters before soldiers ran out of ammunition.

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Nazim’s family to meet foreign diplomats in Colombo

Former Defence Minister Mohamed Nazim’s daughters and brother-in-law have departed to Colombo, Sri Lanka, to brief foreign diplomats regarding the prosecution of the retired colonel on weapons possession charges.

Nazim is currently on trial after police raided his apartment on January 18 and discovered a pistol and three bullets in a bedside drawer. He was subsequently dismissed from the cabinet and arrested on additional charges of treason and terrorism.

According to Vnews, Nazim’s two daughters and brother-in-law, Ismail Hameed, are scheduled to meet ambassadors, charge d’ affairs and high commissioners of Australia, Canada, Germany, United States, Britain, France, Switzerland and the European Union.

The family is also expected to hold a press conference for international media after the meetings.

In late February, Nazim’s family urged the international community to step up pressure on President Abdulla Yameen’s administration, claiming, “there is no hope that Nazim can expect a fair trial” due to a “notoriously politicised judiciary.”

Nazim’s lawyer claim he was “framed” after police planted a pistol and bullets in the then-defence minister’s apartment. However, police have denied the allegations, insisting that “nothing was done in violation of procedures, regulations and laws in the investigation of the case.”

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TVM anchor sacked after alleging state broadcaster bias

The Maldives Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) sacked journalist Ali Shamin on Thursday (March 5) following a tweet in which he alleged the state broadcaster Television Maldives (TVM) was biased in its coverage of the recent political unrest.

The news anchor was suspended on February 23 for allegedly breaching confidentiality policies and undermining public trust in the institution.

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Malé – Hulhulé bridge design to be completed by June, says Saeed

The design and feasibility report of a bridge connecting Malé City and Hulhulé will be completed by June, Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed has said.

Speaking to the press on his return from Beijing on Saturday, Saeed said: “China’s Ministry of Commerce have promised that the design and feasibility report will be completed in June.”

The bridge is to be financed by Chinese grant aid and a Chinese Exim Bank loan, and is among President Abdulla Yameen’s key campaign pledges.

Tourism Minister and co-chair of the Economic and Youth Council Ahmed Adeeb has previously said that the bridge will be completed by 2017.

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PPM wins Milandhoo council by-elections

The ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) has won two seats in the Shaviyani Atoll Milandhoo Island Council by-elections.

PPM candidates Mohamed Mansoor and Hassan Abduhrahman won the two seats against the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and Jumhoory Party (JP) candidates.

“Winning the Milandhoo elections in this crucial time is an incredible win for the party,” PPM MP Abduraheem Abdulla told Haveeru.

“We won the elections because President Abdulla Yameen’s vision for the country. This win is for him.”

Mohamed Mansoor got 596 votes while Hassan Abduhrahmaan got 558. The JP candidate Mohamed Rasheed got 464 votes while MDP candidate Ahmed Azeem got 459 votes.

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