Police in Maldives have arrested former president Mohamed Nasheed. He was arrested Monday for failing to appear at a hearing to face charges that he illegally ordered the arrest of a judge. Police say Mr. Nasheed, the country’s first democratically elected leader, will remain in custody until he is taken to court in the capital, […]
Maldives Arrests Former President Nasheed
Amnesty: Maldives’ Rights Abuses Contrasts Paradise Image
Amnesty International is urging the international community to not ignore what it says is a growing human rights crisis in the Maldives. The London-based rights group released a report late Tuesday documenting targeted attacks by police on opposition supporters as well as bystanders at protests that were held earlier this year. Maldives’ first democratically elected […]
Maldives Commission: Former President Not Ousted in Coup
An internationally-backed commission has determined that the former president of Maldives was not ousted in a coup and instead said the transfer of power was “legal and constitutional.” Former President Mohamed Nasheed, the country’s first democratically elected leader, said he was forced to resign at gunpoint following a coup in February of this year. But […]
Maldives Opposition Blocks President from Addressing Parliament
Supporters of Maldives former president Mohamed Nasheed blocked roads and clashed with police in an attempt to block the country’s new leader from making his inaugural speech to lawmakers. Supporters of the former president’s Maldivian Democratic Party blocked roads leading to parliament and clashed with police outside of the building leaving at least three officers […]
Maldives President Agrees to Early Election
The new president of the Maldives has agreed to hold early elections in an apparent concession to his ousted predecessor who claims he was forced from office in a coup. Mohamed Waheed Hassan agreed Thursday to bring forward elections scheduled for October 2013 in a deal brokered by Indian Foreign Minister Ranjan Mathal. The date […]
Commonwealth to Probe Govt. Change in Maldives
The Commonwealth said Sunday it is sending a team to the Maldives to investigate the sudden transfer of power in the Indian Ocean archipelago. The nine-member Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group made the decision after emergency talks in London. In a written statement, the group said the organization has “agreed to constitute a ministerial mission which […]
Maldives’ New President Expands Cabinet
Maldives’ new president has expanded his Cabinet. President Mohammed Waheed Hassan swore in six new ministers and an attorney general, drawn from different political parties, Sunday in the capital, Male. The new appointees are heading up the ministries of economic development, education, health, tourism, transportation and the combined youth and sports bureau. Ousted President Mohamed […]
U.S. Official: Maldives Not Ready for Early Elections
A U.S. official visiting the politically troubled Maldives said Saturday that the island group is not ready for the early elections suggested by its former president. After meeting with former President Mohamed Nasheed and new President Mohammed Waheed Hassan, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Robert Blake said he believes Maldives is not ready to hold […]
Former Maldives President Calls for Early Elections
Former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed is calling for early elections and threatening street protests as a top United Nations official tries to broker a resolution to the political crisis that erupted Tuesday in the Indian Ocean nation. Mr. Nasheed’s call came after he attended Friday prayers in the capital, Male , under heavy security. He […]
UN Official Meets with Maldives Leaders
A top United Nations official is in Maldives for talks Friday with the current and former presidents to find way to resolve the Indian Ocean archipelago’s political situation peacefully. Oscar Fernandez-Taranco has called on “all political actors to remain calm and prevent any type of violence.” An arrest warrant was issued Thursday for former President […]