Category: News in Brief

MP elect Muhamma’s motorbike torched

A motorcycle belonging to MP elect for Inhavandhoo constituency, Mohamed ‘Muhamma’ Abdulla, was set of fire last night, CNM has reported.

While Abdulla’s bike was reported to be badly damaged, two other bikes near it also sustained damages. The incident took place on Chaandhanee Magu last night around 1:30 am. Police and locals put the fire out within twenty five minues, CNM reported.

Initial police investigations has revealed it was a pre-planned arson attack. No one has been arrested in connection to the incident.

Abdulla, who is also a popular comedian and film producer, won the Ihavandhoo seat on a Jumhooree Party (JP) ticket in the parliamentary elections held in March.

He has recently expressed dissatisfaction with a meeting between JP Leader Gasim Ibrahim and opposition leader Mohamed Nasheed and spoke out against any alliance between the two parties.

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Police seize illegal liquor from safari boat

Police have seized 185 bottles of illegal liquor from a safari boat and arrested four people – two locals and two foreigners.

The safari boat ‘Fatima’ was moored at Hulhumalé lagoon when the police boarded it with a search warrant

Consumption, possession and sale of alcohol is prohibited in the Maldives, except at  tourist resorts and safari boats with a special permit. While selling alcohol to locals is unlawful, local media have reported alcohol was being sold to Maldivians from ‘Fatima’.

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17 year-old girl gang raped in Male’

Local media has reported that a 17 year-old girl was gang raped today afternoon on the staircase of a house in Henveiru.

Online newspaper ‘CNM’ reported that the case was reported to police at about 2: 48 pm today afternoon.

According to the paper, the incident occurred inside a house named ‘Light Rose’ in Henveiru Ward.

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Court extends detention of police officer arrested for drugs smuggling

The Criminal Court has extended the detention period of a police officer caught smuggling drugs in to Male’ Custodial Center.

According to local media, the police officer was a lance corporal and was in police uniform when he was arrested.

In March, another police officer was arrested in connection to the largest drug haulfrom a police operation in the country’s history.

The police seized 24 kg of heroin with a street value of MVR36 million (US$2.2 million) and arrested four Maldivians, three Bangladeshis and 11 Pakistanis.

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Police officers participate in regional anti-terrorism seminar

Two officers from the Maldives Police Service have attended the Seminar on Anti-Terrorism For Asian Countries held in China from April 9 to 29.

The seminar was designed to hold discussions on the status of anti-terrorism efforts in Asian countries, and to explore additional means of dealing with terrorism crimes.

The two officers who attended the seminar are Chief Inspector of Police Ahmed Shameem and Inspector of Police Nahid Hussain.

The seminar was organised by the Chinese government and included participants from SAARC countries, ASEAN countries and outher South East Asian countries.

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Criminal Court orders detention of two suspects in Alhan’s stabbing case until trial concludes

The Criminal Court has ordered the police to hold the two suspects arrested in connection with an attack on Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MP Alhan Fahmy in detention until their trial reached a conclusion.

On March 30, 2014, the police concluded the investigation and forwarded the case to the Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO).

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.

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President to visit Naifaru Island

The President’s Office has stated that President Abdulla Yameen will be traveling to the island of Naifaru in Lhaviyani Atoll on Sunday afternoon. First Lady Fathimath Ibrahim will be accompanying the President on the trip.

President’s Office Spokesperson Ibrahim Muaz Ali stated that the President is visiting the island on invitation of its people. He added that the trip is organized in way of offering thanks to the people of Naifaru for the support extended to the President during the 2013 presidential elections.

He is scheduled to participate in an event hosted by the people of Naifaru on Sunday night before travelling back to capital city Male’ on Monday.

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Housing Ministry authorised to withdraw land owned by Malé City Council: Civil Court

The Housing Ministry has the authority withdraw lands under the Malé City Council if the cabinet decides such lands are required for social, economic and national security purposes, the Civil Court has ruled on Wednesday.

The ruling came in response to a request temporary injunction by the owners of Lemongrass restaurants after police forcibly halted construction of a new restaurant in Malé’s carnival area last week.

The plot had been leased to Lemon Grass restaurants by Malé City Council.

But the Housing Ministry decided to take the plot back and ordered the police to halt ongoing work. Owners of Lemongrass restaurants told local media over 80 percent of construction had been completed.

The Civil Court ruled that when lands leased to people under third party agreements are withdrawn the government would have to pay compensation to the tenant.

On March 27, following a cabinet decision, the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure decided to take over all major lands in Malé City from the city council.

The Housing Ministry and Malé City Council have clashed periodically over the ownership of land in Malé.

Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Dr Mohamed Muiz told newspaper Haveeru at the time 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 area on the southeast, and Dharubaaruge multipurpose hall.

Muiz said all of the plots were to be developed under a master plan formulated by the ministry, and that there were no problems between the council and the ministry.

“We are taking almost all large plots [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.”

Muiz further 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.

Director of Lemongrass Ahmed Atheef Hussain told Sun Online that the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure had claimed that the restaurant was being constructed in violation of regulations, and requested police to halt the work.

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