Category: News in Brief

Court commences trial of arson attack on Addu police stations and court

The Criminal Court has today commenced the trial of a number of suspects accused of vandalising Police Stations and a court building in Addu Atoll on February 8 following the controversial transfer of power, local media has reported.

According to newspaper ‘Haveeru’, charges were pressed against Abdulla Azheen, Mohamed Jabeen, Abdulla Ali, Hussein Ali, Malik Ahmed, Ahmed Hussein, Abdulla Shahid and Shiham Habeed.  Mohamed Nagis, Ahmed Shujau, Mohamed Zuhair, Mohamed Hassan, Hussein Riyaz, Hassan Naseer, Hussein Azraf, Ibrahim Nafiu, Ali Ahmed, Ibrahim Asad, Mohamed Shamoon, Ali Shimam and Aishath Ibrahim also stand accused of the charges.

The paper reported that all the suspects were charged with terrorism.

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Maldives lose 3-0 to hosts India in Nehru Cup

The Maldives National Football team yesterday lost for the first time during their 2012 Nehru Cup campaign, going down 3-0 to the hosts India in their second match of the current tournament.

India outplayed the Maldivians in wet conditions, with captain Sunil Chhetri scoring either side of the break and another goal coming courtesy of Syed Rahim Nabi.

The Indian skipper also hit the post with an open goal as the Blue Tigers ran out comfortable winners on the night.

The defeat leaves them second in the table with three points following their victory over Nepal last week, although a win for Cameroon tonight against Nepal would see them leapfrogged.

The Maldives will now face Syria on Monday night.

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Detention extended for suspects charged with threatening Judge Abdulla Mohamed

The Criminal Court has extended the detention of two men arrested on suspicion of harassing and threatening Criminal Court Chief Judge Abdulla Mohamed for a further 15 days.

Police Sub-Inspector Hassan Haneef said Wednesday (August 22) that the court has extended the detention of both men by 15 days in order to further investigate the charges against them.

The two men were arrested on charges of having harassed Judge Abdulla Mohamed on his personal trip to Raa Atoll Maakurathu on August 17.  They have been in police custody since then.

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Two men arrested on suspicion of brewing alcohol in Laamu Atoll

Police have arrested two men accused of brewing alcohol in an abandoned house in Gan, Laamu Atoll.

Police said three 1.5 Litre bottles and a single 20 Litre bottle all containing alcohol were found at the property upon arrival.

The two male suspects were aged 21 and 25, police said.

Police had not revealed the names of the persons arrested.

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Police discover 52 cans of beer drifting in the sea around Male’

Police discovered 52 cans of ‘Bintang’ beer drifting in the sea near Male’s West Park restaurant yesterday afternoon.

According to police, the cans were first discovered yesterday at about 4:40pm.

The Drug Enforcement Department (DED) and Marine police are keeping watch over the area.

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Maldives to face India in Nehru Cup tonight

The Maldives National Football team face hosts India in their second match in the 2012 Nehru Cup this evening after recording victory over Nepal on Thursday (August 25).

The Maldives squad beat the Nepalese 2-1 with goals from Abdulla Asadhulla and  Easa Ismail in the 7th and 77th minutes respectively. With practically the last kick off the game, Jumanu Rai grabbed a consolation goal for Nepal.

Meanwhile, India beat Syria on the opening day of the tournament by the same score, prompting their Dutch coach, Wim Koevermans, to predict a place in the final for his defending champions if their form continued.

In contrast, Maldives coach, Istvan Urbanyi, has told India Today of his concerns regarding his team’s fitness.

“Most of my players have just come after a month of observing Ramadan. Also, we had little practice before coming here,” said Urbanyi.
Tonight’s match kicks off at 7:00PM (IST) – 6:30PM in Male’.
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Police recover stolen jewellery and electronics

The Maldives Police Service’s Serious and Organised Crime (SOC) Department has recovered stolen jewellery and electronic items with a combined estimated value of Rf500,000 in two separate operations.

Police said a 22 year-old male was arrested in connection with the stolen jewellery, while another 24 year-old man was arrested in connection with the stolen electronics.

According to police, the Rf500,000 worth of jewellery was stolen from a goldsmith located at Maafannu ‘Vaikaradhoo’ and the electronics were stolen from Villa Technology Office located at Galolhu ‘Greenge’.

A total of 12 laptops and five external hard disks were stolen from Villa Technology Office, according to police.

The stolen jewellery meanwhile was discovered inside the residence of the 22 year-old man living, police said.

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HRCM findings on discussion agenda during President Waheed’s Sri Lanka visit

President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan is to discuss the findings of several reports released this week by the Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) with the Sri Lankan government during a two day official visit to the country.  The official visit began today.

The findings of the HRCM, which were published earlier this week in several different reports, will be among the discussion topics with senior officials in the country, the Sunday Times of Sri Lanka  has reported. The president is also expected to use the trip to meet with expatriates and Maldivian business owners living in the country, as well as visit the War Heroes Monument in Sri Jayawardenapura.

Speaking to Minivan News yesterday, President’s Office spokesperson Abbas Adil Riza said the official visit was taking place this week after having been previously postponed. He added that the visit would focus on high-level talks with Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa and senior officials concerning wider bilateral relations and commercial opportunities between the two nations.

According to Abbas, no discussions were expected to take place on how the government would deal with the potential findings of the Commission of National inquiry (CNI), which was set up by the president to review February’s controversial transfer of power.

The President’s Office website has said that President Waheed will be accompanied during the visit by Minister of Environment and Energy Dr Mariyam Shakeela, Tourism Minister Ahmed Adheeb, Economic Development Minister Ahmed Mohamed and Foreign Minister Dr Abdul Samad Abdulla.

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Save Our Surfspot (SOS) campaign gathers support

“Maldivian surfers are beginning to attract support from around the world for a campaign to save a popular surfspot from privatisation,” reports Travel News Maldives.

“The Save Our Surfspot (SOS) campaign was launched in response to news that the Government of the Maldives wants to sell Thanburudhoo Island in North Male’ Atoll and its two surf breaks known as ‘Sultans’ and ‘Honkeys’ for US$5million. The island is also a breeding ground for herons, a protected bird in the Maldives.

The campaigners have organised an online petition via international campaign website Avaaz with a target of 10,000 signatures, as well as a social media campaign to encourage people to support the cause. Their calls are now starting to be taken up by the international surf media and supporters as far away as Australia, the USA and Russia.”

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