Some places of hoarafushi

Al Masgidul furuqan of Hoarafushi

Hoarafushi Island Office

Hoarafushi Health Center

Harbour Mosque under construction

Some places of hoarafushi

Maldives man 'was not tortured

An independent autopsy in Sri Lanka has found no sign of torture on the body of a Maldives opposition supporter whose death sparked protests.

Hussain Salah's body was found near the capital, Male, a week ago The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) said Mr Salah had been killed in police custody. The procedure was carried out in Sri Lanka at the request of the dead man's family. The preliminary report showed that the cause of death was drowning. Physical violence was ruled out. more

Maldives man 'was not tortured

Maldives anger over topless party

A leading opposition group in the Maldives has strongly criticised a lavish party held there last week by one of Britain's top businessmen.

The party was attended by a host of celebrities, including the singers George Michael and Jennifer Lopez.

It allegedly featured topless dancers, a giant Buddha statue and copious amounts of champagne. Critics say that such an event was incompatible with the conservative Muslim culture of the islands. more

Maldives anger over topless party

Total of Seven Arrested For Gayoom Assassination Attempt

Police have arrested a total of seven people in connection with the attempted assassination of President Gayoom on 8 January, they announced at a press conference today.

They told reporters Mohamed Murushid, 20, has confessed to being the attacker and has said he intended to kill the President.Mohamed Hafiz, 18, has also confessed to being involved in the plot to kill Gayoom, according to police.

More ArrestsPolice arrested five people from Haa Alif Hoarafushi at the time of the attack, including Murushid and Hafiz.Assistant Commissioner of Police Abdullah Riyaz confirmed today that another two people had been arrested on the evening of 10 January.

Police did not name the two, but several sources have told Minivan News they are Ibrahim Adam and Ibrahim Amir, both teachers at the private Thauleemul Bayaan Koran school on the island.Until 11 January police had maintained Murushid was the only person detained in connection with the attack, but the new arrests bring the total to seven. more

Total of Seven Arrested For Gayoom Assassination Attempt

MDP Calls National Protest

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has announced a nationwide protest in response to the recent violence and arrests.“We have called the protest to highlight the continued police brutality, the most recent manifestation of which is in Addu, but it is continuing,” said Hamid Abdul Gafoor, Secretary General of the MDP. The demonstration has been scheduled for February 25, which was the same date as the opening of the People’s Majlis. But the President’s Office announced on Thursday that the ceremony for the opening of parliament will be brought forward to February 22. The MDP’s National Council will meet this evening to decide the final details for the protest, including whether to change the date. But Acting President of the party, Ibrahim Hussein Zaki, told Minivan News on Thursday that if the MDP brings forward the protest, the government will again change the date of the Majlis opening, so there is “no point” in altering the date. Some MDP supporters are worried that February 25, more than two weeks away, is too late for a protest, as it will give the authorities too much time to prepare, but it is thought the National Council will stick to the original date. more

MDP Calls National Protest