Latest world news

Maldives: Emergency declared, SC Judges, former President Abdul Ghayoom detained

Published

8 years ago

February 6, 2018

Maldives: Emergency declared, SC Judges, former President Abdul Ghayoom detained

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Indians advised to defer non-essential travel plans to the country

Amidst fragile political scenario, Maldives President Abdulla Yameen has, on Monday night, declared state of emergency for 15 days. In a swift development, security forces arrested two Supreme Court judges, including the Chief Justice, and on opposition leader and former President Maumoon Abdul Ghayoom.

Maldives Legal Affairs Minister Azima Shakoor, while declaring state of emergency, said that a Supreme Court ruling that overturned “terrorism” convictions against nine opposition leaders was illegal.

She said that the verdict has “resulted in the disruption of the functions of the executive power, and the infringement of national security and public interest. The government does not believe that the Supreme Court ruling to release the political prisoners can be enforced.”

Police broke down the doors of former president Maumoon Abdul Ghayoom’s house and arrested him around 11 pm on Monday night. However, before being arrested Ghayoom released a video asking the citizens to remain steadfast and assuring public of his innocence. His son-in-law Mohamed Nadheem was also arrested.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed and Justice Ali Hameed were arrested from the apex court complex at around 3 am Tuesday morning, after remaining under siege for almost seven hours by the security forces. Army was seen scaling Supreme Court building and holding staff and judges under military supervision. Judicial administrator Hassan Saeed was also arrested after midnight.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Former President Maumoon Abdul Ghayoom and the two Supreme Court judges were taken to a detention centre out of the capital.

The state of emergency has given sweeping powers to security forces to make arrests, curtailed the authority of judiciary and scrapped the immunity available for Supreme Court judges.

Reacting to the developments in Maldives, Raveesh Kumar, spokesperson of Ministry of External Affairs, has advised Indian nationals to defer all non essential travel to Male and other atolls until further notice.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Meanwhile Maldives Independent newspaper has claimed on Tuesday morning that their website came under attack. The daily said, “We believe the attack was designed to coincide with the announcement to stop us from reporting. We are starting a live blog but the attacks continue and updates may not be possible. Follow @IndependentMV on Twitter for developments.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]However, lawmaker Faris Maumoon, son of former President Maumoon Abdul Ghayoom, was released from jail early Tuesday. Maumoon is one of the nine opposition figures whose release was ordered by the Supreme Court. Faris’ lawyers had filed at the top court on Monday against the acting police commissioner Abdulla Nawaz and other police officers for refusing to release their client. In turn Supreme Court unanimously overturned Faris’ remand and ordered his immediate release.

International community has expressed displeasure over developments in Maldives. Canadian authorities warned Abdulla Yameen government on its moves suppressing democratic institutions.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Sun newspaper website reports that UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has also asked President Yameen to peacefully end the State of Emergency, to comply with the constitution in its entirety, to protect civil liberties, to comply with the Supreme Court order and ensure the Parliament is able to work freely.

The political crisis in Maldives deepened on Sunday when President Abdulla Yameen refused to comply the the Supreme Court ruling for releasing nine opposition leaders.

Several countries and world bodied including, UN, EU, US and India have urged President Yameen to comply with the Supreme Court’s ruling.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Iran set to execute anti-Khamenei protester as Trump warns of strong US action

Iran is preparing to execute a protester linked to anti-regime demonstrations as US President Donald Trump warns of strong action amid a deadly crackdown.

Published

35 mins ago

January 14, 2026

[email protected]

Iran is reportedly preparing to execute an anti-government protester on Wednesday, triggering sharp warnings from US President Donald Trump, who said Washington would take “very strong action” if the hanging goes ahead. The development comes amid a sweeping crackdown on nationwide protests that rights groups say has killed more than 2,000 people.

According to human rights groups, 26-year-old Erfan Soltani, arrested last week during protests in Karaj near Tehran, has been sentenced to death and faces execution without a proper trial. Iranian authorities have not publicly detailed the charges or judicial process in his case.

Trump urges Iranians to keep protesting

Trump has publicly encouraged Iranians to continue protesting, saying “help is on its way”, while warning Tehran against executing demonstrators. Speaking to media, the US president said the United States would respond forcefully if Iran began hanging protesters arrested during the unrest.

Earlier, Trump posted messages urging people in Iran to continue demonstrations and said he had cancelled meetings with Iranian officials until the killing of protesters stops. He did not specify what assistance the US might provide or which meetings had been cancelled.

Iranian prosecutors have reportedly threatened capital punishment under charges of “moharebeh”, or waging war against God, for some detainees linked to the protests.

Rising death toll and reports from morgues

Rights groups say the crackdown has been one of the deadliest in recent years. According to activist organisations, the death toll has crossed 2,500, including civilians and members of the security forces. Iranian officials, however, have blamed what they described as “terrorists” for the deaths and have not provided a clear breakdown.

Videos circulating on social media show bodies lined up at the Kahrizak mortuary near Tehran, wrapped in black bags, as families search for missing relatives. Authorities have declared national mourning for security personnel killed during the unrest and announced mass funeral ceremonies in the capital.

Internet blackout and Starlink access

Iran has imposed a widespread internet blackout, now extending beyond five days, limiting communication and information flow. Amid the restrictions, SpaceX has reportedly waived subscription fees for its Starlink satellite service in Iran, allowing users with receivers to access the internet without payment, according to groups working to restore connectivity.

Some international phone links were partially restored, but reports indicate services remain unstable and limited.

Political tensions and international reaction

Iranian leaders have insisted that control has been restored following days of protests described as one of the biggest challenges to the clerical leadership since the 1979 revolution. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has hailed pro-government rallies as evidence that the protest movement has failed.

Senior Iranian officials have accused Trump and Israeli leadership of responsibility for violence in Iran. Meanwhile, Western leaders have condemned the use of force against protesters, with some warning that sustained repression could further destabilise the country.

Analysts note that while the protests represent a serious challenge to Iran’s leadership, the government retains powerful security and enforcement mechanisms, making the outcome uncertain.

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Nearly 2,000 killed as Iran acknowledges high death toll in nationwide protests

Iran has for the first time acknowledged that nearly 2,000 people were killed during nationwide protests sparked by economic distress, as authorities continue a strict security crackdown.

Published

13 hours ago

January 13, 2026

[email protected]

Iran has acknowledged for the first time that close to 2,000 people, including members of the security forces, have been killed during two weeks of widespread protests across the country, according to an Iranian official.

The official said the deaths occurred amid violent clashes during nationwide unrest that erupted over worsening economic conditions. The figure marks the highest acknowledged toll so far from the current wave of demonstrations, which has posed one of the most serious internal challenges to Iran’s leadership in recent years.

Official blames “terrorists” for violence

According to the official, those described as “terrorists” were responsible for the deaths of both protesters and security personnel. However, no detailed breakdown was provided regarding how many civilians or security forces were killed.

Iran’s clerical leadership has accused the United States and Israel of instigating unrest in the country, alleging that external actors exploited public anger and escalated the demonstrations into violent confrontations.

Dual approach to protests

Authorities have attempted to balance their response by distinguishing between what they describe as legitimate protests over economic hardship and acts of violence. While acknowledging public frustration over living conditions, the government has simultaneously enforced a strict security crackdown to contain the unrest.

The protests are reported to be the most significant challenge to the Iranian establishment in at least three years and come at a time of heightened international pressure following military strikes by the US and Israel last year.

Rights groups cite arrests and casualties

Human rights organisations had earlier reported that hundreds of people were killed during the protests and said thousands were detained as security forces moved to suppress demonstrations across several cities.

The flow of information from inside Iran has been severely restricted due to communications curbs, including recent internet blackouts, making independent verification difficult.

Clashes captured on video

Despite restrictions, multiple videos circulating online have shown intense nighttime clashes between demonstrators and security forces. Some of these visuals, verified by media, depict gunfire, burning vehicles, and damage to buildings, highlighting the scale of violence during the unrest.

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Khamenei warns US against deceitful actions as Trump announces 25% tariff threat

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned the United States against “deceitful actions” after Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff threat, as protests continue to challenge Iran’s leadership.

Published

1 day ago

January 13, 2026

[email protected]

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned the United States to stop what he described as “deceitful actions” and reliance on “traitorous hirelings,” responding to escalating pressure from US President Donald Trump, including a proposed 25 per cent tariff on countries trading with Iran.

In a post on X, Khamenei said the Iranian nation had demonstrated its resolve in the face of external pressure and issued a warning to American politicians. He asserted that Iran remained strong, aware of its adversaries, and firmly present on the political stage.

Protests pose major challenge to Iran’s leadership

Khamenei’s remarks come amid more than two weeks of nationwide demonstrations that began over economic grievances and have since grown into one of the most serious challenges to Iran’s theocratic system since the 1979 Islamic revolution.

Rights groups have claimed that at least 646 people have been killed during the protests, which have spread across several cities. The unrest has intensified international scrutiny of Tehran’s response and further strained relations with Washington.

Trump signals economic and military options

President Trump has repeatedly warned Iran over its handling of the protests, stating that the United States was prepared to act if demonstrators were killed. He has said possible US responses range from low-risk to high-risk options, depending on the ultimate objective.

While Trump has previously criticised “regime change” as a foreign policy goal, citing past US involvement in Iraq, he has continued to apply economic pressure on Tehran. On Monday, he announced a 25 per cent tariff on countries that trade with Iran, marking a significant escalation in sanctions-linked measures.

Trump has also spoken about efforts to restore internet access in Iran after authorities imposed shutdowns during the protests.

Limited communication revealed

Despite the sharp public rhetoric, both governments have acknowledged that some level of communication has taken place. These contacts were reportedly coordinated through Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff.

Iran and the United States have remained adversaries since the 1979 revolution that overthrew the pro-Western shah. Any major shift in Iran’s political system would have far-reaching consequences for the Middle East, making the current standoff closely watched across the region.