Maldives this week: 28 February - 6 March
Last week's key headlines.
On 6 March, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih returned to the Maldives after an unofficial visit to Singapore for surgery on his thyroid. The president underwent surgery on 25 February.
On 6 March, the Prosecutor General's Office appealed at the High Court charges for accepting bribes against Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment Ahmed Mahloof. The Criminal Court had dismissed the case citing lack of provable evidence.
On 6 March, the parliament committee on foreign relations approved the appointment of the current High Commissioner of Maldives to Sri Lanka Omar Abdul Razzaq to the European Union, and the current Ambassador of the Maldives to the EU to Japan.
On 5 March, the parliament committee on government accountability passed a motion to approve the establishment of the Maldives Hydrographic Service.
On 3 March, the Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture announced amendments to regulations for the lease of islands for agricultural purposes, increasing the lease period from five to 10 years.
On 3 March, the Maldives Police Service said that an Interpol red notice has been issued for the arrest of former Minister of Tourism Ali Waheed.
On 2 March, the Maldives supported the UN General Assembly resolution condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine and calling for the immediate withdrawal of forces.
On 2 March, Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed departed on an official visit to Malta to participate in the World Forum for Culture and Peace organised by the Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain Cultural Foundation
On 1 March, the Criminal Court dismissed charges for accepting bribes against Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment Ahmed Mahloof, citing lack of sufficient evidence submitted by the prosecution to prove the case.
On 1 March, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said that he has been discharged from hospital and will be returning to the Maldives soon. Solih underwent surgery for thyroid treatment on 25 February.
On 1 March, Minister of Defence Mariya Ahmed Didi met with the Ambassador of Japan to the Maldives Takeuchi Midori. Discussions were held on further cooperation in the areas of disaster response, pollution response, counter-terrorism, and maritime and aviation security.
On 1 March, the Maldivian Government refuted allegations that it was removing government officials in slots allocated to the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) amidst internal elections of the MDP.
On 28 February, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the government will provide financial assistance for Maldivians in Belarus who wish to return to the Maldives.
On 28 February, Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI) signed an agreement with the UK for the provision of Masters level scholarships through the Chevening program.
On 28 February, the parliament sent the nominations proposed by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to the parliament's independent institutions committee for review.
On 28 February, Minister of Health Ahmed Naseem extended the state of public health emergency declared in the country with the COVID-19 pandemic.
