Threatening texts were sent via a computer application, say police

Police have said that the recent spate of threatening text messages sent to parliamentarians, journalists, and other individuals were sent using a computer application rather than normal texting via local networks.

At a press conference held on Wednesday (August 27), Cyber Policing Department Head Inspector Ahmed Shifau stated that police are currently seeking assistance from several foreign authorities in their investigation into the matter.

Police expressed confidence that the perpetrators can be identified, though they declined from commenting further on the matter stating that the investigation is currently in progress.

Communications Authority of Maldives Chief Executive Officer Ilyas Ahmed said earlier this week that tracing messages from foreign networks,  or computer software were difficult to trace.

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Gaza fund donations handed over to Qatar Red Crescent

A donation of MVR 29.4 million (US$1.9 million) to help Gaza has been handed over to the Qatar Red Crescent at an event held on Wednesday (August 27) at the Maldives Broadcasting Commission.

The unprecedented donation drive by Maldivians following the conflict in Gaza culminated in a 33 hour telethon aired across multiple participating broadcasters.

The cheque was received by Qatar Red Crescent President Dr Mohamed Bin Ghanim Al Madida.

Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon, Help Gaza association’s Steering Commitee Chairman and MBC Chairman Ibrahim Umar Manik, and Gaza Fund Maldives representative Adhaalath Party leader Sheikh Imran Abdulla handed the check over on behalf of the Maldivian people.

The donation is intended to be used to supply food and water and to help Gaza recover from damage sustained after the Israeli Defense Force launched an offensive in retaliation to rocket fire from within the territory.

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Criminal Court rules charges of sending threats to MP Rashad not proven

The Criminal Court has ruled that charges Mohamed Raaif of Henveiru Blue Mead sent death threats to Thulaadhoo constituency MP Nazim Rashad have not been proven.

The case was lodged after Nazim Rashaad received death threats in August 2011.

The court’s ruling reads that based on the fact that Raaif pleaded not guilty, and taking into account witness statements, the court decided that the charges could not be proven.

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JP reverses stance as parliament begins voting on SEZ bill

The Jumhooree Party (JP) has today changed its stance on the controversial special economic zones (SEZ) bill, opting to support the government in the Majlis.

In the last parliamentary session prior to the recess, parliament has begun voting on the bill with the JP issuing a three-line whip to its 12 MPs in support of the legislation.

The party’s leader Gasim Ibrahim, who has previously spoken publicly against the bill, has recently claimed to have been the victim of government attempts to impede his various business interests.

The Majlis voted to continue today’s session until all 200 of the proposed amendments have been voted on – most submitted by the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

The MDP had proposed to return the bill to a committee for further review, although this proposition failed with 57 of 73 parliamentarians present voting against it.

While the MDP has submitted over 180 amendments, the JP has also submitted about ten amendments, with the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) submitting a similar number, local media reports.

The MDP has contended that an SEZ law would pave the way for money laundering and other criminal enterprises, undermine the decentralisation system, and authorise a board formed by the president to “openly sell off the country”without parliamentary oversight.

The government, however, maintains that SEZs with relaxed regulations and tax incentives were necessary both for foreign investors to choose the Maldives over other developing nations and to launch ‘mega projects,’ which President Abdulla Yameen has said would “transform” the economy through diversification and mitigate the reliance on the tourism industry.

PPM Parliamentary Group leader Ahmed Nihan is reported in local media as having criticised the MDP for submitting “a large number of bills with the intention of creating long delays”.

Three line whip

Despite Gasim’s previous public opposition to the bill, the JP today announced today that it would enforce a three-line whip in voting for the SEZ bill.

The decision was reached unanimously in a parliamentary group meeting, according to JP MP Abdulla Riyaz.

Previously, the party leader Gasim had boycotted the committee reviewing the legislation,warning that an SEZ law would facilitate massive corruption and threaten independence.

The change in the party’s stance closely follows the state’s cancellation of various business agreements made with the JP leader’s business Villa Enterprises.

On Monday (August 25), the Civil Aviation Authority downgraded Gasim’s Villa International Airport based on the MP’s constituency island of Maamigili to domestic status.

Similarly, on August 14 the government terminated an agreement with Villa Air to develop and manage the regional airport on Gaaf Dhaal Kaadehdhoo, while the fisheries ministry has also decided to reclaim Laamu Atoll Baresdhoo from Villa, stating that the company had not used it for the agreed purpose.

President Yameen has denied that politics has played any part in the recent reversals to Gasim’s business interests.

Maamigili MP Gasim has also been in receipt of death threats in recent weeks, with the party releasing a statement suggesting rival politicians were behind this intimidation.

“The death threats are being issued to Honourable Gasim Ibrahim by those displeased or threatened by his efforts in the People’s Majlis, the media, and various other arenas for the benefit and wellbeing of the Maldivian people, in a planned attempt to intimidate him and push him back politically with politicians behind these threats,” the JP contended in an August 17 press statement.

Following Gasim’s crucial decision to support Yameen’s 2013 presidential election bid, his party joined the PPM and Maldivian Development Alliance in contesting the March parliamentary polls as part of the Progressive Coalition,

The PPM severed its coalition agreement with the JP in May, however, after Gasim stood for post of Majlis speaker despite the PPM fielding its senior MP Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed. The JP has since sought reconciliation.

The remaining Progressive Coalition members control 48 seats in the 85-member People’s Majlis.

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Police investigating a case of sexual harassment against a student

Police have started investigating a case of sexual harassment perpetrated by a teacher of Naavaidhoo school against a student.

Haa Dhaal Atoll Naavaidhoo Island Council have informed local media that the case was lodged at the police on Tuesday night (August 26).

The victim is reported to be a 12-year-old girl studying in the sixth grade at Naavaidhoo school.

School Principal Ali Shareef Mohamed told local media that no action has yet been taken against the accused teacher by school authorities.

While police confirmed that they are currently investigating the case, they declined to provide further details based on the nature of the case.

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Police busts major drug network

Police have arrested three individuals on charges of selling narcotics.

The official police website describes the operation as a “major drug network bust”, stating that they were arrested while “in possession of a large number of illicit drugs and money”.

Police have said the three persons arrested on an operation carried forward on Monday are males of ages 31, 22, and 20-years-old. The nationalities of the arrested persons have not been revealed so far.

They were arrested from Parker House in Galolhu ward of capital Malé city.

Police recovered 53 packages containing what is suspected to be narcotics and equipment used for packaging them.

Police also searched the 20-year-old’s residence, finding an additional 58 packages and larger bags of narcotics as well as similar packaging equipment.

In an additional search of the 22-year-old’s residence, more than MVR150,000 (US$9,700) was recovered.

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Indian Naval Ship visits Maldives for joint exercise with MNDF

Indian naval ship ‘Trikand’ is in the Maldives to conduct a five day joint exercise with the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) coast guard unit.

According to a statement released by the High Commission of India in the Maldives, the purpose of the exercise is to conduct a joint maritime security patrol of the exclusive economic zone of the Maldives.

Additionally, in a ceremony held on Tuesday, equipment which can be used to maintain the operational and training capacities of the MNDF were gifted to the Maldivian authorities by India.

The equipment was handed over to Minister of Defence Mohamed Nazim by High Commissioner of India to the Maldives Rajeev Shahare.

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Communications Authority working to identify senders of SMS threats

Communications Authority of Maldives (CAM) Chief Executive Officer Ilyas Ahmed has stated that there is a possibility that persons who send threats via text messages can be identified.

In relation to a recent spate of threatening text messages sent to parliamentarians, journalists, and other individuals, Ilyas stated that the authority is currently investigating the matter to see if the threats were sent via phones or computer software.

“As you know, there are a multitude of mediums via which text messages can be sent now. The ease in which the senders can be identified depends on what medium they have used,” said Ilyas.

Ilyas’ comments come as both journalists and politicians have continued to receive SMS threats in recent weeks, prompting calls for greater state action in finding those responsible.

The CAM CEO explained that if threats are sent via local networks, the perpetrators can be easily identified, while those using foreign networks and computer software will be harder to trace.

“We are monitoring them to see if the messages are sent from a local number. If not, we are also looking into what external network they are utilising,” he said.

He went on to assure that, even in such circumstances, there is a possibility of identifying them if the messages are being sent from within the country.

Ilyas stated that the authority will take action against those sending such messages, adding that it is currently liaising with a number of foreign authorities to find ways to take action in the matter.

Meanwhile, Commissioner of Police Hussain Waheed yesterday (August 25) met with local telecom operators Ooredoo, asking for assistance in the authority’s investigation of text message threats.

In addition to this, discussions were also held on how the telecom company can assist the police in the expansion of CCTV coverage and other programmes.

Police media official assured that the police will also be contacting the country’s other telecom operator, Dhiraagu, for assistance in the near future.

Marketing and public relations officials from Ooredoo and Dhiraagu were unable to provide comment at the time of publication.

Continuing threats

Vnews editor Adam Haleem was the latest to receive a death threat on Sunday evening, as did Minivan 97 journalist Aishath Aniya last week, while opposition MP Mariya Didi has also made public a recent threat against both her and her family.

Numerous politicians and journalists reported receiving threats earlier this month, with the latter being linked to gang activity, respectively. The threats against journalists were reported by Minivan News journalist Ahmed Rilwan, who disappeared on August 8 and is believed abducted.

Following the disappearance of Rilwan’s – known by many as moyameehaa on twitter – the threats sent to politicians and journalists have made clear references to his abduction.

On August 20, Maldivian Democratic Party MP Mariya Didi reported receiving a threat saying, “we will not hesitate to disappear you. Have you forgotten you have a small daughter?”

The same day, journalist Aniya received a message from a sender identified as ‘ISIS’ stating, “You are next on our hit list. Be careful when you walk alone. #fuckmoyameehaa”.

On August 25th, Vnews Editor Adam Haleem received a death threat saying, “If you keep behaving however you like, we will make you disappear, we will behead you. Keep that in mind [expletive]”.

The message was received just days after all media outlets gathered to call for an end to the culture of intimidation, after Rilwan’s abduction. The unprecedented joint statement also called for delays in bringing those responsible to justice.

The Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) has also released a statement today expressing concern over the increasing number of threatening text messages being sent to journalists.

The statement also highlighted the number of days in which Minivan News journalist Rilwan remains missing, calling on authorities to expedite the case. The MJA further appeals to the authorities to provide timely updates to the media regarding any progress in the investigation.

“Any attack against journalists is nothing but an attempt to eradicate independent journalism. We call on investigating authorities to treat such cases with high priority and to speedily conclude investigations into such matters,” the statement concluded.

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Special committee to hold MJA elections

The Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) will select a special committee representative of the country’s media outlets to conduct its internal elections, following continuing disputes over the polls.

The association stated in a press release that the committee will be compiled of the association’s managerial committee and five representatives from media outlets. The five members will be selected through a nomination and voting process in a meeting of the managerial committee to be held today (August 26).

The MJA has attempted to hold the election of its board members on three previous occasions, with meetings being repeatedly disrupted due to concerns raised by various members.

Disruptions to the most recent meeting resulted in accusations of assault, while the accused member received a death threat just moments after the incident. Former President Ahmed ‘Hiriga’ Zahir tendered his resignation following Sunday’s meeting, citing an atmosphere “not conducive” to the holding of elections.

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