Ameen Faisal Denies Charges

Shadow Defence Minister Ameen Faisal and two other defendants have pleaded not guilty to all charges in the mass trial of Maldivian Democratic Party activists arrested from the Namoona dhoni while trying to reach Malé for the MDP protest of 10 November last year. The Namoona owner, Shahuruzzamaan Wafir, and captain, Ahmed Didi, also entered not guilty pleas. In total forty five MDP activists will stand trial after their boat was stopped en route to Male' by the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF). Among the accused are a girl of seventeen and two boys aged sixteen and seventeen.

Government obstructs MDP election..

Press Release
The MDP strongly urges the government and police to refrain from obstructing the party's upcoming Presidential election. Police services are beginning to arrest a large number of party activists in the south of the country in an attempt to hinder the smooth operation of the elections. The party's branch president in Ghaafu Dhaalu Atoll, Mohamed Saleem, has already been arrested. Police are reportedly searching for at least seventeen party activists in Addu Atoll. Several state institutions have refused to cooperate with the MDP. more

Golha Boas torture chamber Maafushi Jail Inmates On Hunger Strike..

More than 200 inmates in Maafushi prison are on hunger strike over leaking roofs, according to Jazeera.Inmates say they are unable to sleep due to constant rainwater in their cells, caused by the current wet weather. The decision to hunger strike was taken after prison authorities said it would take four days to fix the leaks.

Blast From Past

DO Exclusive

Pictures from the Maafushi Jail Shooting incident Maldives

On 19th September 2003, Evan Naseem was beaten to death by Gayyoom's security people in jail. 20th September 2003;3 inmates were killed and 16 were injured when they protested demanding to know why their friend was killed. These pictures were in the possession of the police for over a year hidden from public domain but were first published in Dhivehi Observer in October 2004 .

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(Please be warned that these images are disturbing)

Dhagandey is still held in Dhoonidhoo prison without charge

Popular Addu reformist and photo journalist Mohamed Saeed (Dhagandaa) was arrested on 1st May from his island and brought to Dhoonidhoo prison. It has since been more than 4 weeks and he remains in detention without being charged. According to our sources he was initially arrested in relation to a demonstration by the students of Irushaadhiyya school in April, news of which he covered. more

The continued detention of Dhagandey and the arbitrary arrest of other reformist including Saleem Ali from Huvadhoo yesterday is a clear sign that the Maldives Dictator knows no other means to remain in power but by brute force without any regard for the rule of law.

Article 15 - (1)(b) of the Maldives Constitution states that "No person shall be arrested or detained except as provided by law. No person shall be detained for a period exceeding twenty-four hours without being informed of the grounds of arrest or detention."

And, Article 15 - (1) (d) states "No person charged with an offence shall be kept in detention for a period exceeding seven days except as provided by law."

According to legal experts, in view of the above two clauses of the constitution, arbitrary arrests and indefinite detention is in fact against the law and can only be classed as an act of treason. But of course, the Maldives Dictator is 'above the law'.

The high security grave of Hussain Salah who was murdered by the Maldives Police (Golha Force)

Photo News
Everyone knows the truth about the killing of Hussain Salah by the Maldives Police (Golha Force) but as usual it appears that the chapter is almost closed now and no one is willing to get the murderers to justice and stop such crimes from being committed in the future. Salah was beaten to death and his dead body thrown in the sea. To cover up the crime, Police tried to bury him as soon as he was found but public anger and family intervention did eventually delay the cover-up attempt. However, after the so-called post-mortem, his body was buried in Male' against his family wishes amid high security. His grave was constantly monitored by video cameras and several police agents were roaming the area, even after the burial. So, isn't it obvious that the police are trying to hide something? Incidentally, where is the final post-mortem report by the 'one and only' Dr. Alwis of Sri Lanka? view photos

Demented Golha boa trying to arrest key reformists from Addu

Breaking
Addu - 14:22 - Sources in Addu are reporting that Golhaa Force are looking for key MDP reformists in Addu and have been to their homes. It is believed that this is in relation to the recent visit of Golhaabo to Addu during which most of the Adduans criticized him and did not welcome him to the Atoll. However, according to reformists in Addu, they did not plan any activity to heckle Golhaabo during his visit but some members displayed banners and put some graffiti on the walls, which obviously has upset the 'Demented One'. Golhaa is also very upset that late Hussain Salah's family refused to meet with him and thinks that senior MDP members in Addu might have played a role in that. Golhaa Force is specifically looking for Zahid (Dhiraagu), Sobe', Habeeb and Hussain Shahid..

MDP Elections - Important Notice

Postal Ballot for MDP members living in EU

All MDP members living in EU countries, wanting to participate in the election of the MDP President due on 2nd June, please forward your postal address to MDP head office by email secretariat@mdp.org.mv as soon as possible, so that ballot papers can be posted to you in time.

Visit Our Special Blog for latest updates on MDP Elections

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Resort owners who support the Maldives Dictator Golha Boa do not want their staff to vote in MDP's Presidential Election

Local News

Male' - Reliable sources have informed DO that a number of resort owners, who are affiliated with the Maldives Dictator 'Golhaabo', are threatening their staff and refusing to let them participate in the upcoming presidential election of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) due on 2nd June. Amongst these are some major resort chains but we are refraining from naming them for now. All resorts that refuse their staff to participate in this democratic exercise will be exposed on DO(Dhivehiobserver) after the elections. A large number of MDP members work in resorts, almost all of whom are keen to participate in this presidential election. Some resort owners are in fact threatening the staff by saying that if they vote they will loose their jobs.

USAID Provides Assistance to Maldives Flood Victims

Standard Newswire
WASHINGTON, May 25 /Standard Newswire/ Due to the effects of recent flooding in the Republic of Maldives, the U.S. Government through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is providing $100,000 to the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) for emergency water and sanitation services to the affected populations. On May 22, U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives Robert O. Blake declared a disaster and authorized U.S. assistance. more

Amnesty Unimpressed By Golha Boa Roadmap Reforms

Amnesty Unimpressed By Roadmap Reforms"Political freedom continued to be undermined by the slow pace of constitutional reforms. More than 100 people were arbitrarily arrested ahead of public rallies. At least six political prisoners were sentenced to terms of imprisonment. Torture and other ill-treatment continued in custody." more

Freedom of expression
Scores of government critics were accused of breaking the law while peacefully expressing their views or attending rallies.
• Member of Parliament Ahmed Shafeeq was briefly detained in April for attending a peaceful rally in Malé. He was reportedly severely beaten at the time of arrest and admitted to hospital. No investigation was carried out.
• More than 100 people were detained in advance of a planned anti-government protest scheduled for
10 November in Malé. The riot police also prevented people from leaving the islands for the demonstration. A boat full of opposition supporters was allegedly raided by the police and all passengers detained. Scores of detainees were held for weeks without charge, while at least 22 were released after being charged with apparently unsubstantiated, politically motivated criminal offences."more

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Maldives: World's Secret Dictatorship

The archipelago of the Maldives in the middle of the Indian Ocean is a natural spectacle. Over the past 30 years, it has become one of the most thriving and sought-after holiday destinations in the world. It is the economic lifeblood of the Maldives, contributing to more than 30% of the GDP, accounting for 70% of foreign currency earned and 40% percent of the government's budgetary resources.
The regime of Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom in the Maldives is the world's only "secret" dictatorship. Gayyoom has been in power for the last 28 years and has no intention of relinquishing power or reforming his brutal methods. Human rights groups, including Amnesty International have frequently raised the issue of Gayyoom's methods and practices. The international media has also highlighted these concerns but to no avail.Key characteristics of this tyranny are, rampant nepotism, suppression of any form of political opposition, complete control of media and communication, arbitrary arrests, torture and death in custody, endemic corruption and misuse of public funds, intimidation of the parliament reducing it to a rubberstamp body, ballot rigging and total mismanagement of public services. Read more Worlds Secret Dictatorship

DO Exclusive

Pictures from the Maafushi Jail Shooting incident Maldives

20th September 2003;3 inmates were killed and 16 were injured. These pictures have never been seen before.

Click here to view pictures

(Please be warned that these images are disturbing)

Fahala Saeed sentenced to life imprisonment Appeal Begins

Minivan Daily Journalist, Abdulla (Fahala) Saeed's appeal against drug offences began at the High Court on Sunday. Fahala, known for articles critical of the government and their use of violence, was sentenced to life imprisonment in April 2006 for possession with intent to supply heroin.At Sunday’s appeal, Fahala’s lawyer Husnu-al-Suood argued the charges were false and a “deliberate attempt to hurt him.”Suood asked the judge to consider why the drugs were not found during the first search, but inside Fahala’s trouser pockets, only after he had stripped naked, and his trousers had been taken away by police and brought back.“It took the police five minutes to find four packets of drugs in Fahala’s pocket. This gives them ample time to plant the drugs in his pocket more