Month: February 2011

Police seize Rf184,000 drug haul during two day crackdown

The Maldives Police Service has announced the seizure of illegal drugs with a suspected value of Rf184,000 (US$14,431) during a two day period late last month.

The drugs were found during three separate cases recorded by authorities between 30 January and 31 January.

Among these cases, police said they arrested a person at GMR Male’ International Airport’s domestic terminal on 31 January who was said to be carrying 20 bullet sized packets containing illegal narcotics as well as four small packets of cannabis.

According to the police, the airport officers on duty at the time said they has discovered the drugs during a search of the suspect.

The Police claimed that the street value of the illegal drugs found on the individual would fetch up to Rf100,000 (US$7,843).

The second case was related to a report received by police intelligence that led to a search of Mahchangolhi Kulhafilaage for drugs and the discovery of eight bullet-sized packets of suspected illegal drugs.

The Police Service said that upon searching garments in the house, 53 packets of suspected illegal drugs were discovered stored inside the pocket of two shirts as well as another two bullet sized packs.

Inside short pockets in the house, police said they additionally found packets containing suspected illegal drugs.

Police officers who searched the house also reported finding two 500ml life water bottles filled with alcohol and seven other packets containing illegal drugs on an individual.

The Police Service said that two men were arrested in connection to the case, which resulted in drugs with a value of Rf50,000 (US$3,921) being found.

In another case reported over the two day period, police intelligence said they had acted over reports that a person aboard a boat travelling to Velidhoo in Noonu Atoll was carrying drugs and conducted a special operation in collaboration with the Velidhoo police station.

Police said the suspect had thrown away a bag when he saw the police, but it was later retrieved and checked in his presence.

Seven plastic packets of narcotics, a can of cannabis and other materials linked to drug use were found inside it.

Police said the street value of the drugs found in the third case would be approximately Rf34,000 (US$2,666)

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DQP alleges MDP involvement in judicial obstruction

The Dhivehi Qaumee Party (DQP) led by former Attorney General Dr Hassan Saeed has today issued a statement condemning the alleged attempts ”of the ruling” Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) to obstruct the judicial system and threaten judges.

The party said in a statement that the alleged action of some MDP MPs within protests that barred entry to Male’s Justice Building was a constitutional violation. The protests had been held in opposition to a ruling by the Civil Court that Addu Atoll did not fulfill criteria to be considered a city.

”By the hard work of the citizens, the judges have become independent according to the new constitution. And we call on the police and the chief justice to take immediate actions against those who attempt to obstruct the judicial system,” the DQP said in the statement. ”This is an additional circle to the series of attempts by the MDP’s government to challenge the constitution, obstruct judicial administration, mock the judges and to create civil unrest.”

The DQP said it was the lawful duty of the police and the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) to uphold the constitution ”as you have swore by god to uphold the constitution.” The party also called for police and the MNDF to take action against those trying to influence and threaten the judiciary.

The criticisms made by the DQP follow similar claims made this week by the People’s Alliance Party (PA), which is led by Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, has today condemning attempts to ”influence and threaten the judiciary”, following the protests in Male’.

A PA statement said “reasonable grounds” existed to believe that there were political links in the attempts to block entrance to the cour, based on media reports comments made by MDP MP Alhan Fahmy that Adduans ”would not let courts in Addu open.”

Some Maldivians have reacted in anger to the Civil Court’s ruling that the Local Government Authority established by the government to determine the criteria of cities was incomplete and that the Local Government Authority’s determination that Addu meets the requirements to become a city was invalid.

This resulted in similar protests to those seen in Male’ also being held in Addu Atoll, where people allegedly chain locked the main door of Hulhudhoo court.

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MDP condemns Elections Commission over Addu City Council cancellation

The ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has condemned the Elections Commission “in strongest possible terms” for canceling the Addu City council election.

The Elections Commission announced that the Addu City Council election was canceled after the Civil Court invalidated the criteria established by the Local Government Authority to determine cities.

The Local Government Authority was established when the Civil Court recently ruled that president does not have the authority to declare Addu as a city before a Local Government Authority was established, and before the Authority determines whether Addu meets the requirements to be a city.

”In the public referendum held, Addu citizens in Maradhu area have already decided that they want to hold the Addu City Council elections,” said MDP’s Maradhoo branch in a statement. ”The citizens of this area were extremely concerned when Elections Commission announced that Addu City Council elections were canceled.”

MDP Maradhu referred to article 4 of the constitution which states that all powers of the state are derived from the citizens and remain with the citizens.

”We are very concerned, disappointed and condemn this in strongest possible terms for the state institute has disregarded the decision of the citizens,” said the statement.

Many Addu citizens believe the development of Addu is linked to the establishment of Addu City.

”As a result, we call on everyone not attempt to work against Addu City council elections and remember that the people of this area are willing to sacrifice anything to come out against those who work to obstruct this,” said the MDP.

Vice President of the Elections Commission Ahmed Fayaz Hassan said that all members of the commission were working according to the constitution and laws.

”We have taken an oath that we will follow the laws and the constitution, and we are keeping our work to the constitution and laws,” he said, adding that he had no further comment on the issue.

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Amana Takaful Insurance applies for MSE listing

Amana Takaful Insurance has applied to become the fifth company to be listed on the Maldives Stock Exchange (MSE).

The Sri Lankan company was established in 1998 and pioneered the process of refunding the surplus at the end of each policy term. It has been active in the Maldives since 2003, providing insurance to government and non-government organisations.

Amana Takaful will be both the first Sharia-compliant company and the first foreign-owned company to be listed on the MSE, the exchange noted.

Other companies on the stock exchange include the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company Plc (MTCC), Bank of Maldives Plc (BML), State Trading Organization Plc (STO), and the Maldives Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC)

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NTPC examines Maldives’ solar power potential

India’s state-owned National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) is examining the potential for solar projects in the Maldives.

The company is currently conducting a feasibility study within the islands, which it expects to complete within 3-4 months.

NTPC chairman and managing director Arup Roy Choudhury declined to offer specifics about the investment that India’s biggest power generator would potentially make in the island nation, until the completion of the study.

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Maldivian passport stamped ‘security concern’ in India, says Adhaalath Party

The Adhaalath Party has claimed that Maldivians traveling to India have begun face difficulties while in transit, following an article in ‘The Week’ magazine alleging the involvement of Maldivians in the Mumbai bombings.

Adhaalath contends that the article, which interviewed government officials and labelled Sheikh Illyas and Sheikh Fareed as “hate preachers”, will create “many obstacles” for travelling Maldivians and those living in India.

Today the party produced an image of a Maldivian passport stamped with a warning by Indian immigration that due to security concerns the bearer could only visit to India after two months.

Adhaalath Party noted that it has recently warned that such things would happen because of the interview senior government officials gave to ‘The Week’ magazine.

In the article, Ahmed Muneer, Deputy Commissioner of the Maldives Police, acknowledges that “our radical preachers are enjoying street credibility and radicalisation is visible at the street level. It’s a problem for us, but things would aggravate if the radicals get integrated into Maldivian politics.”

The Adhaalath party claimed that during the interview, “Dr Shaheed said that scholars were delivering lectures with the intention of earning money, and that only a few people attended religious protests because they wanted to go to heaven.”

”As a result of this [article], religious scholars in the Maldives will face many obstacles locally, and it will also affect Maldivian families living in India,” said the Adhaalath Party.

”Due to irresponsible comments by senior officials of the government, tourism in the country will also be affected,” warned the party earlier, accusing the President of “fabricating” statements concerning scholarly freedom in the Maldives.

The Islamic Foundation of the Maldives has also previously raised concerns about the impact of ‘The Week’ article.

“Apart from the threat of being arrested and interrogated by authorities abroad and being kept under surveillance by foreign governments, the government’s action may create obstacles and insecurity for the Muslim religious scholars and the people of Maldives in travelling abroad,” the Foundation said in a recent statement.

“We also call the government to stop stereotyping the people of this country with the hope of getting financial benefits from the enemies of Islam. We also urge the individuals involved in such acts to get repent and return to the Path of Allah,” it added.

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Second crocodile discovery raises enclosure issue

A second crocodile found in as many months within Maldivian waters is currently being held by police as they look for a “safe area” to keep the animals, with one expert suggesting that investment in the creatures’ protection could have mutual benefits for local people and the tourism industry.

Maldives-based marine biologist Verena Wiesbauer Ali has suggested that although crocodiles may remain a rare presence in the Maldives’ tropical atolls, investment in providing them with a safe enclosure in the country could pay off as a popular attraction for wildlife lovers.

The claims were made as police confirmed that a six-foot crocodile was found yesterday near the waters of Naifaru in Lhaviyani Atoll by a fishing boat crew, following on from the apprehension of a four-foot croc by authorities last month in Thaa Atoll.

The Lhaviyani Atoll crocodile is thought to be the third such creature of its kind to have been captured in Maldivian waters and the second to be discovered this year alone, with one marine biologist calling the appearance of the animals a “surprising” and rare occurrence within the country.

Police Sub-Inspector Ahmed Shiyam said the crocodile was found in local waters at about 2pm yesterday afternoon and was now being kept in the local police station near where it was found in Lhaviyani Atoll, while the police service consulted the environment ministry on the best course of action.

“We will hold the crocodile until we can find a safe area to keep it,” he said. “We will look at ways to keep the animal without having to kill it, which would remain one possible option.”

Shiyam said that it was currently in talks with environment experts about whether there was a growing chance of crocodiles likely to be found in the country’s waters.

“At this moment we are not sure yet [how common they are expected to be],” he added.

Although not professing to be a crocodile expert, Verena Wiesbauer Ali, a marine biologist and environmental consultant for local company Water Solutions, told Minivan News that although species such as saltwater crocodiles were common in India, it was “quite surprising” to find them in the atolls of the Maldives.

Wiesbauer claimed that she believed it would probably be these saltwater crocodiles that have been most recently discovered in the Maldives and although they are rare, the public should be careful.

“It is good that the police have taken the animals. They are of course dangerous, particularly after having potentially travelled such a long way. They could be hungry,” she said. “The best thing for people who come across a crocodile in the Maldives is to get out of the water and call the police.”

According to Wiesbauer, the major issue for police holding the animals will now be to find places to keep the crocodiles while also letting them”live in dignity” – options that she claimed are currently limited in the Maldives.

The last previous reptilian stranger to be found in the Maldives, a nine foot-long crocodile called ‘Kimboo’, is currently kept in the Kudakudhinge Bageecha (children’s park) in Male’, after it was caught by Maldives National Defence Force cadets in 1998.

In July 2010, students at Billabong High School in Male’ launched a campaign to ‘Save Kimboo’, due to the small size of its enclosure and poor treatment.

Kimboo occasionally makes it into local media and even has his own Facebook page calling for his release, but so far nothing has eventuated.

Wiesbauer said that although Kimboo’s cage was kept clean, she believed it was far too small for an animal of its size to now be kept.

The marine biologist said by comparison that all three creatures may therefore benefit from potential government or private investment into a special enclosure within the country that could be of interest as an attraction for local people and tourists.

Wiesbauer claimed that she is already considering putting together proposals for the government to consider the possible development of an enclosure in an area such as Villingili in North Male’ Atoll where huge areas of government land currently remain unused.

“It may be a bit utopian, but we have to think about these creatures welfare now they are here,” she added. “The creatures should not be killed, either they should be protected in an enclosure or they should be exported to zoos in countries like Sri Lanka or India. But who would pay for this service?”

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PA condemns influencing and threatening of judiciary

The People’s Alliance Party (PA) led by Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has today issued a statement condemning attempts to ”influence and threaten the judiciary”, following protests in Male’ and Addu Atoll over the Civil Court’s decision to stop Addu from becoming a city.

The party said there were “reasonable grounds” to believe that there were political links in the attempts to block entrance to court, based on reports in the media of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MP Alhan Fahmy’s comment Alhan stating that Adduans ”would not let courts in Addu open.”

The PA, which is in coalition with the opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP), accused the MDP of “trying to influence the judiciary and judges.”

The party added that it had sent a letter to the police and Prosecutor General’s Office ”requesting they investigate the attempts to influence the judiciary the attempts to threaten judges.”

”In the recent days, senior officials of the ruling party along with their supporters have committed similar crimes, but it a concern that it never comes to the attention of the concerned authorities,” said the party. ”We believe that it is definitely an attempt to influence the judiciary and threaten the judges.”

Protesters temporarily barred entry to the Justice Building of the Maldives last night, in response to the Civil Court’s ruling that the Addu city criteria were invalid, forcing the Elections Commission (EC) to cancel the local council election in Addu this Saturday.

Today the Department of Judicial Administration said that the court of Hulhudhoo in Addu Atoll was also locked this morning, and had to be opened with the assistance of police.

Local radio station SunFM reported Alhan Fahmy, a Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MP in Addu Atoll, as saying that he ”would not let courts in Addu to be opened.”

Fahmy was present at protests in Addu, SunFM reported, as Adduans expressed fury over the Civil Court ruling.

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Protesters bar entry to courts after Civil Court’s Addu ruling

Protesters temporarily barred entry to the Justice Building of the Maldives last night, in response to the Civil Court’s ruling that the Addu city criteria were invalid, forcing the Elections Commission (EC) to cancel the local council election in Addu this Saturday.

Today the Department of Judicial Administration said that the court of Hulhudhoo in Addu Atoll was also locked this morning, and had to be opened with the assistance of police.

Local radio station SunFM reported Alhan Fahmy, a Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MP in Addu Atoll, as saying that he ”would not let courts in Addu to be opened.”

Fahmy was present at protests in Addu, SunFM reported, as Adduans expressed fury over the Civil Court ruling.

The Judicial Administration Department meanwhile said that it had requested additional security from police following media reports of further protests.

The department said it had informed police to provide security to magistrates, judges and courts and to investigate the attempts to obstruct the work of the courts.

Civil Court Judges Aisha Shujoon Mohamed, Hathif Hilmy and Ali Naseer examined the case, which was filed by Hassan Nasir of Annaaru Villa/Addu Atoll Hulhudhoo.

The Court ruled that the criteria established by the Local Government Authority – consisting solely of Home Minister Hassan Afeef – were invalid.

Establishing the criteria required majority of the board, the Court said, as “if a law requires a certain decision to be taken by a particular council or a committee, the decision should be taken by the majority of the council or the committee unless interpreted otherwise.”

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