News

Two arrested in brutal attack on PG Shameem

Published

4 months ago

01/02/2024

The police have made two arrests in connection to the brutal attack on Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem.

Shameem had been out jogging on a street in Male’ City on Wednesday morning, when he was attacked with a weapon by two people on a motorbike.

He fractured his left arm in the attack.

In a press briefing on Thursday afternoon, Commissioner of Police Ali Shujau said that the two suspects were arrested shortly before the news conference.

But he declined to disclose any details regarding the suspects, even the gender and age.

Shujau said the police had launched an immediate investigation following the attack, utilizing all its resources.

Pre-planned attack

He said that initial findings establish that the attack had been pre-planned, adding that the suspects had their faces covered and were heavily disguised.

“As I mentioned, we utilized all our resources and have now identified them and taken them into custody,” he said.

Possibility of more people involved

The police believe it likely there are more people behind the attack.

Head of Criminal Investigations, Chief Superintendent of Police Ahmed Nafiz said the belief is based on past experience with similar cases.

He said that the attack had come just after the security the police had been providing to Shameem due to a court case ended.

According to Shujau, Shameem was provided with security after a threat assessment run in connection to a court case flagged him as a possible high-risk target.

He said that the security coverage was dropped after the court case ended.

“But the police discontinued security to the PG after it ended. Therefore, this incident took place during such a time frame,” he said.

Shameem was treated for his injuries at the ADK Hospital before being released home to his family.

In a post on X, Shameem shared a picture of himself wearing a cast.

He thanked everyone for the love and well wishes.

“…will be back at work stronger and be back running, cycling and swimming even faster,” said Shameem, a well-known fitness enthusiast.

The Prosecutor General’s Office, the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) has strengthened Shameem’s security in the wake of the attack.

Both the ruling PPM-PNC coalition and the main opposition MDP issued statements condemning the attack, with the latter accusing top government officials of harboring close ties with criminal gangs and providing them with protection.

“This party believes that such fearless attacks on top state officials is a result of the close ties that top government officials have with criminal groups operating in the Maldives, and because of the protection the government provides these criminal groups,” said the party.

Meanwhile, the party’s interim leader, former president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih suggested the attack was politically motivated.

But the remark was slammed by Home Minister Ali Ihusan, who said that claim suggests the former president has credible information about the motive and the people behind the attack.

“I would like to request former President to please share the credible information referred here with the Police immediately,” he said.

He added that the police were treating the case as a top priority, and promised to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Source(s): sun.mv

World

One-China principle anchor of peace across Taiwan Straits: Chinese FM

Published

1 hour ago

20/05/2024

The one-China principle is the solid anchor for peace across the Taiwan Straits, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed on Monday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks on the sidelines of the meeting of the SCO Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Astana, capital of Kazakhstan.

No matter how the situation on the Taiwan island changes, it will not change the historical and legal facts that Taiwan is part of China, or the historical trend that China will inevitably be reunified, Wang added.

Recently, political leaders and people from all walks of life in many countries, including the SCO member states, have voiced their support for China’s just cause of opposing “Taiwan independence” and promoting reunification, which once again shows that the international community’s adherence to the one-China principle is unshakable, Wang said.

Any attempt to dispute or deny the one-China principle will only end in failure, he stressed.

Wang noted that the 1943 Cairo Declaration and the 1945 Potsdam Proclamation clearly stipulate that Taiwan, a Chinese territory stolen by Japan, shall be restored to China. These documents with international legal effect formed an integral part of the post-WWII international order and are also the collective memory of the international community, he added.

The separatist activities of “Taiwan independence” forces are the most serious challenge to the international order and the greatest threat to peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, Wang said.

The one-China principle is the political premise on which China establishes and develops diplomatic relations with other countries, and also the solid anchor for peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, Wang said.

The Chinese nation always holds the common belief that the homeland cannot be divided, the country cannot be destabilized, its ethnic groups cannot be separated, and its civilization cannot be disrupted, Wang said.

Emphasizing that the Taiwan question is China’s internal affair, Wang said that realizing China’s complete reunification is a shared aspiration of all the sons and daughters of the Chinese nation and also a historical trend that no force can stop.

Source(s): CGTN

News

Court warns against conviction rumors of FAM ex-President

Published

1 hour ago

20/05/2024

Criminal Court on Monday, has warned against spreading rumors or issuing public opiniong claiming conviction of Bassam Adeel Jaleel, former President of Football Association of Maldives (FAM).

The court warned against spreading such rumors since it has not arrived at verdict on Bassam’s case.

The former FAM President is facing money laundering charges for depositing USD 10,000 extended by FIFA, to his bank account, for personal use, which Prosecutor General’s Office claimed on April 18, 2024.

While his case is pending, Bassam has been facing constant slandering and libel on social media.

Criminal Court Judge Ismail Shafeeu on Monday’s order, said defendants have the right to be treated as innocent until convicted at a court of law, despite facing criminal allegations or charges.

Besides issuing the warning against slandering the former FAM president, the court declared any such attempts would be regarded as a contempt of court and will be held as an offense.

PG earlier claimed its investigations had found Bassam had bought and registered properties after siphoning money from FAM accounts, used the misappropriated funds for his own business ventures, family expenses and for trips abroad.

PG Office also confirmed it has not completed the investigation on the matter, adding it would be pressing additional charges as the investigation proceeds.

Apart from facing money laundering charges for mishanding FAM funds, Bassam earlier faced allegations of money laundering and graft related to MMPRC, which is is currently investigated by Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

Source(s): sun.mv

News

Ministry confirms actions against unpermitted drone use

Published

1 hour ago

20/05/2024

The Ministry of Defense has announced that measures will be enforced against any drones flown across the Maldives without the required permits.

Moreover, the Ministry had previously urged individuals to seek permission before flying drones in areas near airports, as they could pose a threat to air traffic. However, it has recently observed flying of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones in military security areas and near airports.

Furthermore, the Ministry further emphasised that permit applications should be submitted at least three days in advance, excluding non-governmental holidays, to ensure timely processing. It warned that strict actions would be implemented against those who operate drones without the necessary permits.

Source(s): PsmNews