Maldives this week: 29 July – 4 August 2021
Prosecutor charges four on attack targeting speaker, new political party to be established, parliament to resume on 16 August, China responds to Speaker's tweet...
On 3 August, Prosecutor General Hussein Shameem announced that four arrested on allegations of being involved in the 6 May terror attack targeting Speaker Nasheed have been charged. He added that one of the accused, Ahmed Adhuham has entered into a plea bargain, which will result in a 23 year prison sentence if endorsed by the court.
On 2 August, the Elections Commission approved the establishment of the Qaumee Ebbaivanthakamuge Party by former Minister of Home Affairs Abdulla Kamaaludeen.
On 2 August, Minister of Health Ahmed Naseem announced that the public health emergency declared in the country with COVID-19 is being extended, to now expire on 1 September.
On 2 August, former President Abulla Yameen's lawyers said the former president had refused to give a statement in the investigation into allegations he deposited USD1 million received as acquisition cost for V. Aarah. The lawyers said this was because he had previously given a statement on the case and it has already been sent to the PG Office for prosecution.
On 1 August, the parliament secretariat announced that parliament sittings will be resumed on 16 August.
On 30 July, opposition Progressive Party of Maldives launched a national campaign called 'Maldivians in Defence of Independence.' It invited all parties in the current government coalition, other than the MDP to join it. So far, the Maldives Reform Movement, the Jumhooree Party and the Adhaalath Party has rejected the invitation.
On 29 July, Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid met with the Minister of Tourism of Bulgaria Dr. Stella Baltova. Discussions included avenues to further strengthen and enhance relations and cooperation between the two countries.
On 28 July, the Chinese Embassy in the Maldives responded to Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed stating that it strongly opposed the flexing of muscles targeting China. The statement, via Twitter, was made in response to Nasheed's tweet that he was pleased to see a British Carrier Strike Group enter the South China Sea.
