2 February - Forty-fourth anniversary of the attack on Thinadhoo island in Huvadhu atoll by former President Ibrahim Nasir in 1962. The NSS militia, which included the current Maldives Commissioner for Elections, KD Ahmed Manik, razed the island, burning houses and murdering and raping the inhabitants.

UN report says that Indian Ocean area governments, including Maldives, are violating the human rights of their own citizens because tsunami survivors endure discrimination, inadequate housing and assaults one year after the tragedy swept through Southeast Asia.

Air traffic controllers at Malè International Airport on Hulhulè island are experiencing stress and fatigue due to lack of proper rest between their shifts, reports Dhivehi Observer.

15 year old boy dies in Indira Gandhi Memorial hospital in Malè after being attacked by thugs in Malè.

Meeting held by Gayyoom's DRP party at Imadudeen school in Malè is poorly attended.

Sri Lankan tea estate bought with Maldive government funds by the State trading Organisation (STO) at an inflated price of US$500,000 in August 2003, and used by Gayyoom's relatives as a holiday home, is now for sale, reports Dhivehi Observer. STO financial reports have not revealed details of this purchase, nor the funding of improvements to the property.

All-party talks, facilitated by the Commonwealth, are boycotted by the MDP due to the continuing detention on faked charges of its senior members and other reformists by Gayyoom.

The son of MDP vice-president Ibrahim Hussein Zaki, Hamdhan Zaki, is attacked by assailants working for Gayyoom. Hamdhan is cut in the back with a sharp knife. The wound is nine inches long and one inch deep. Ibrahim Hussein Zaki says, 'This is an attack directed at me because of my opposition to this regime. However, this will not shake my resolve to bring democracy and freedom to Maldives, it is a price all of us are ready to pay.'

Three of Maldives' top volleyball players, Ibrahim Nizar (Bodu Nizar) of Vaavu atoll, Siyan Shafeeq (Siyalhe) and Ahmed Adeel (Libero) are excluded by Gayyoom from the national volleyball team for supporting the democratic reform movement and refusing to join Gayyoom's DRP party.

MDP president Ibrahim Ismail threatens to quit the party if members of the MDP shadow cabinet attend a national executive committee meeting called by MDP chairman Mohamed Nasheed (Anni). Almost the entire shadow cabinet defies the MDP president's orders and attends the meeting. Ibrahim Ismail decides to stay as president of the party.

Indian MPs are concerned about the attempt of the Indian navy and airforce to intimidate the population of Malè during the last large MDP demonstration on 24 January against Gayyoom's dictatorship, reports Dhivehi Observer. 'This development is likely to cause tension in the Indian federal parliament and the issue is unlikely to go away soon,' says a source quoted by Dhivehi Observer. 'We are also lobbying major Indian news organisations to muster support for our cause,' the source says. 'India being the largest democracy in the world must not be the saviour of the longest dictatorship in the region.'

The American Red Cross announces that from 4 December 2005 to 4 January 2006 nearly half the population of Maldives was vaccinated against measles as part of its Measles Initiative to eliminate the disease in the country.

Senior MDP officials have lengthy discussions with Tan Sri Musa Hitam, the special envoy of the Commonwealth Secretary General.

Without evidence or credibility, Gayyoom's spokesman Mohamed Shareef describes the MDP as 'a rag-bag band of agitators and militants' and accuses the MDP of 'derailing ground-breaking talks'. MDP spokesman Ahmed Mausoom in Colombo rejects these unsubstantiated allegations and says, 'Such references presently refer to a number of elected MPs and some 40,000 registered members, I believe Shareef should be held to account.' Mr Mausoom says Gayyoom's regime does not have anything on the rails 'for it to get derailed... It is another lie, proven by default of the facts.'

Maldives high commissioner to the UK, Hassan Sobir, has attempted to sell a Maldives education department house at 9 Rosemont Avenue in north London, which the Maldive government owns in the UK, reports Dhivehi Observer. This house is managed by the Maldivian High Commission in London and the Maldivian Students' Association (UK). Dhivehi Observer claims the attempted sale involved an offer almost 50% less than the real market price, and would have left many Maldive students without a safe haven in London.

Minivan News says the Commonwealth is expected to deliver a first draft of the new Maldives constitution by April 2006.

Details the misuse of funds from the Maldives State Trading Organisation (STO) to build and maintain a luxury building on Fonadu island next to Malè for Gayyoom's brother Abdulla Yameen and other senior STO officials, are published in Dhivehi Observer. The website claims 'the inauguration of this mini palace was held in the presence of Gayyoom, Abdulla Hameed (another Gayyoom brother), and senior ministers Hamdhoon, Ismail Shafeeu, Dr. Shaugee and other select friends of Yameen.'

Dhivehi Observer releases MDP document submitted to the Commonwealth in August 2005 detailing the reforms needed to the constitution of Maldives.

Details abuse of young Maldivians studying in Bangalore, India, are published by Dhivehi Observer. The abuse is taking place through an organisation headed by Chethan Kumar (also known as Rajesh) with close links to Gayyoom and run by a Maldive company Nishan Pvt. Ltd. and an Indian company Shine Enterprises Pvt. Ltd.

Women from Dhidhoo island in northern Maldives throw dead fish into the local atoll office. The fish are from local fishermen's catches dumped on the beach because they could not be sold. 'De-regulation alone can solve this problem,' says a fishery businessman. 'If Gayyoom really wanted to solve this problem, he should just open up the market and let everyone buy fish from the fisherman, rather than it being restricted to those who have licenses. This current regulation must be changed otherwise the problem will never be resolved.'
After ordering heavily armed NSS militia to Dhidhoo, Gayyoom appears to change his mind about attacking the island and agrees to pay the Dhidhoo fishermen for the fish they have caught. Two days later, Gayyoom instructs the atoll office to arrest the leaders of the people who dumped the fish. The people of Dhidhoo unite and claim they are all responsible for the dumping.

A Maldivian visitor to Naifaru island on Lhaviyani atoll is found unconscious after being beaten by thugs in the reclaimed area of Naifaru, according to Dhivehi Observer. 'Just last month a teenage girl was gang-raped and thrown into a school ground and a little earlier, a drug addict was severely beaten up and only just escaped death,' according to eyewitnesses quoted by Dhivehi Observer. The assaulted visitor 'has broken legs and severe injuries to his body, mostly to his back.' Naifaru residents say police are not doing anything to bring the situation under control and drug addicts and thugs are let loose on purpose by the government. Naifaru is adjacent to the NSS base at Madivaru island.

Adduvas magazine, published in Maldives and edited by Aishath Velezinee, examines the legal issues surrounding President Gayyoom’s admission to the majlis in 1983 that he and six supporters carried concealed pistols into the majlis at the time of his inauguration in 1978. ‘In an operation devised and implemented by Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, persons in 1978 have either unlawfully smuggled or manufactured arms to have carried them, also unlawfully,’ Adduvas claims. ‘As executive privilege is specific to the President of the Republic, the other six persons… should be immediately prosecuted for carrying arms illegally. Law 20/72 Javiyani, in force in 1978 as well as now stipulates as items prohibited smuggling into Maldives any type of ammunition, gun-powder or firearms.’

Gayyoom instructs tourism minister Shaugee to cancel the tendering process for the development of new resorts in Addu atoll. Existing resort projects on the atoll are indefinitely delayed.

Maldives national cricket team wins the Emerging Nations Tournament for a second consecutive time, with a convincing victory by 136 runs over Bhutan.

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) welcomes news that US President George W. Bush has recently written to President Gayyoom encouraging him to reform the political system of the Maldives to make it a modern democracy with empowered political parties and an independent judiciary.

Lord Naseby, a long-term associate of Maldives dictators Ibrahim Nasir (retired 1978) and Maumoon Gayyoom criticises the Maldivian Democratic Party in a speech to the House of Lords in UK. Minivan News reports that ‘Lord Naseby, a Conservative party peer who heads the Maldives all-party group in the UK parliament and who says his ‘involvement in the Maldives goes back to 1963’, has been a long-standing source of irritation to the MDP. Party insiders question his impartiality and worry about the closeness of his relationship with the Maldivian regime,’ says Minivan, which quotes an MDP lawyer saying, ‘Lord Naseby is very quick to attack the MDP. He claims the party must co-operate in all-party talks. Lord Naseby has said to House of Lords: ‘After all, that is what democracy is about.’ Yet, I wonder if he also thinks that the arbitrary arrest of the MDP Chairperson Mohamed Nasheed and the government’s refusal to grant him a fair trial is also ‘what democracy is all about?’ Funny… we never seem to hear his lordship mention that in the house,’ the lawyer says. David Hardingham, who heads the UK-based human-rights pressure group, Friends of Maldives, also expressed concern. ‘If Lord Naseby has been involved in Maldives for such a long period of time, why hasn’t he brought to the attention of the UK government the torture and human rights abuses that have taken place under the regime of both Nasir and Gayoom?’ Minvan News says, ‘Lord Naseby’s comments also appear out-of-kilter with his own party’s Human Rights Commission.’ Gary Streeter MP, who heads the Conservative Party HRC, tells Minivan that his main concern in the Maldives was whether Mohamed Nasheed - who is being tried for terrorism and sedition - would be granted a fair trial to international standards.

Dhivehi Observer gives details of tsunami aid corruption by Gayyoom. A project to reconstruct 600 houses in Dhuvaafaru Island on Raa Atoll was tendered and the bid was awarded to a joint venture company (Amin Construction/Liang Bang Co., Singapore) for US$18.2 million. The project is financed by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and it has not begun due to corruption scandals and court cases, says Dhivehi Observer. Five joint venture companies participated in the tender which was announced by the Finance Ministry of the Maldives. The five companies were:
1. Island Trader/Wu Huan Construction (Taiwan) - US$16.1 million.
2. Moreway Construction/Arun Excello - US$17.4 million.
3. Amin Construction/Liang Bang Co., Singapore - US$18.2 million.
4. Alia Construction, India/MM Exports - bid unknown.
5. Siarikat/Haleys/Agas - bid unknown.
The Tender Evaluation Board at the Finance Ministry awarded the project of to the joint venture company made by Amin Construction and Singapore's Liang Bang, despite it being the highest. Now the other bidders are taking legal action, says Dhivehi Observer. ‘Since it is aid money, the ICRC must look to save as much as they can,’ the website claims. ‘The differences between the top three bidders are not just a few thousand dollars but it is in the millions. Most experts in the industry in Maldives believe that Amin Construction and partner were awarded the bid purely because of their connection to Gayyoom's regime.’

Maldives further liberalises its tourist resort investment policy, to attract more Indian investors. A report from Mumbai in a travel industry website says Maldives has opened doors for 35 more resort islands to be developed out of which 20 would be given solely for private investors to develop, while the other 15 would be in the hands of the Maldives government in an agreement to provide some share to locals, which in turn could be subleased to private players.

Maldives' three opposition parties condemn President Gayyoom's refusal to remove his unelected members from the majlis and special constitutional majlis.

The special constitutional assembly cannot meet due to the failure of Gayyoom’s appointed members to attend, leaving the assembly without a quorum. Five protesters are arrested by Gayyoom’s NSS police, and a further two MDP activists, Areesha Ali (from Ranvilu house, Machangoli ward in Malè) and Fathimath Shiuna (Pink Light house, Machangolhi) are arrested at night. Fathmath Shiuna is arrested in a pre-dawn raid by 12 plain clothes NSS police.

The Maldives Human Rights Commission is no longer a functioning body, after the resignation of most of its members, reports Fiyes magazine. ‘Despite the fact that the legislation requires that three months is the time limit given to appoint members to the commission, this period has elapsed and there are no new members. Yes, there is a building structure called the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives. And that office has employees,’ the Fiyes article says. ‘But there are no members in that office appointed according to article 5 of the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives Act ratified by Gayyoom on 18 August 2005. It seems all functions, as well as the voice of the Commission, have been halted. So the questioned posed is whether the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives is asleep or annulled or what has happened to it?’

MDP Founder and ambassador at large Mohamed Latheef visits Washington to promote the party’s agenda, reports the MDP secretariat in Malè in an article published by www.maldivesfirst.com. Latheef assisted by Ahmed Naseem, a trained diplomat, who until recently served the Maldives government as director of foreign investments. Naseem is widely credited as the founder of the Maldives tourism industry in 1972.

The Friends of Maldives organisation, based in UK, promotes a new campaign - the Maldives Selected Businesses Boycott (MSBB) - thus widening its activities against resorts with close links to Gayyoom. The boycott is now extended to include all businesses, including tourist resorts, which have links with leading members of the regime.

US Republican Congressman Christopher Smith introduces draft legislation that would make it illegal for mainland internet firms listed in the US to comply with Chinese government demands on censorship and disclosure of personal information. In addition to China, the bill says it aims to counter online censorship by the governments of Belarus, Cuba, Iran, Libya, the Maldives and Myanmar.

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) wins a key vote in the special majlis administrative committee, paving the way for members to go ahead and debate proposals to remove President Gayyoom's unelected appointees from the constituent assembly.

Maldives prisoners of conscience, Naushad Waheed and Ibrahim Ahmed Didi (Sandhaanu Didi) are released after continuous international campaign by Amnesty International for their release since their jailing in 2002. Many other political prisoners, including MDP chairman and leading MDP journalist/photographer Jenny Latheef, remain in detention.

Two leading activists for Gayyoom’s DRP party on Fua Mulak (Gnaviyani) atoll, Ahmed Mohamed (Meenaaz) and Ibrahim Mohamed (Didi), are accused of corruption, mismanagement and child molestation in detailed reports by websites based in Fua Mulak and Addu atolls.

Recent reports criticising governments for the slow delivery of tsunami aid should be a ‘call to action’ for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, according to the Federation's special representative for the tsunami operation, Johan Schaar. On a visit to the Maldives during February, he admits that some of the communities who were already vulnerable prior to the tsunami were not significantly better off now than a year ago. ‘This is particularly true for communities where there was already great economic disparity. If these imbalances are not addressed then there is chance that the most vulnerable will be further marginalised,’ he says. ‘We have no room for complacency - these reports are one authentic expression from some of the most vulnerable people, which call for us to reflect on what we are doing, and accept that we can and must ensure better outcomes for those people we are trying to assist.’

The official photographer of the popular Adduvas weekly magazine, Ali Fahud is arrested by Gayyoom's NSS police this morning at the scene of a protest staged outside the majlis today. His arms are handcuffed behind his back and he is taken away along with six others according to Adduvas officials. Fahud was wearing his official press card, and he has been arrested a number of times previously whilst taking pictures and covering stories from similar protests.

MDP Supporter and former Minivan journalist Hussain Nazeer is sacked from the Maldives Justice ministry after the publication of an article critical of the Gayyoom regime he is suspected of writing for the Manas magazine.

Contrary to any substantial evidence, and refusing to go into details, President Gayyoom praises himself for implementing ‘democratic reform’ and asserts that he has a new reform agenda that will be released in late March.

Recently released political prisoners Naushad Waheed and Ibrahim Ahmed Didi (Sandhaanu Didi) address a large MDP meeting in Malè and condemn President Gayoom. ‘The most interesting item of the night was delivered by Naushad,’ reports Dhivehi Observer. ‘He began his talk with a song that a young boy sang while sleeping in his nearby cell (in Dhoonidhoo prison). He heard the boy sing this song every night. ‘Even though there is no tail or horn, he is an animal.... Maumoon is an animal, he is animal’.’

On its website, UK public relations firm Hill and Knowlton boast that staff working for Maldives travel and tourism clients have the ability to draw on other specialists within the company including its in-house crisis management team ‘to assist in situations where a client's reputation is threatened.’

Protest by Malè youths outside the TV Maldives (TVM) building, calling for the resignation of the minister for information, Mohamed Nasheed (no relation to the detained MDP chairman) and two TVM presenters, Shakeeb and Heena Waleed, as hostility grows against an upsurge in pro-Gayyoom propaganda by the state-run and financed media outlet. Ahmed Nadheef, an 18 year old from Hulhudhoo in Addu Atoll, is badly beaten in NSS custody. His father, Hussein Basheer, tells Minivan that he suspects the police also molested his son. ‘My son had gone to a shop to obtain his pay but he didn’t come back. The next morning I received a call from the police and was told that Nadheef was under arrest. The police asked me to come to Maafannu Vilifulus (the Maafannu ward police station),’ Basheer tells Minivan. When Basheer arrived at the police station he says he saw his son thrown on to a seat, half naked and with bruises on his face and arms. ‘The pair of jeans that Nadheef was wearing were torn to pieces… and he was naked. The moment I entered the station, the police there claimed that it was not them but members of the Star Force who had done this to my son,’ he says. Nadheef tells Minivan he was on his way home from the shop when the Star Force appeared on the road and shouted, ‘Arrest this bastard, too!’ He says they cuffed him from behind, took him away and beat him up, tearing his jeans. Nadheef names the offending police officers as Savah Ahmed, ‘Valhoa’ Shaafiu, Ibrahim Firag, Abdullah Samah, Private Mohamed Yousuf and Private Ibrahim Latheef but more are believed to have taken part in the assault.

MDP MPs are refused entry into a special majlis session by the special majlis speaker and President Gayoom’s brother-in-law, Abbas Ibrahim, who was holding a private meeting with Gayyoom’s DRP MPs. Later, Abbas Ibrahim unilaterally removes a MDP-sponsored motion for debate on the future of Gayyoom’s 29 unelected appointees from the special majlis’ agenda.

The British government expresses concern over the lack of fundamental freedoms in Maldives, following questions from concerned peers in the House of Lords. Conservative Party peer, Lord Astor of Hever, asks the UK government ‘what representations they are making to the government of the Republic of Maldives concerning alleged human rights abuses in that country in the light of the September 2005 report of the UK lawyers (Sir Ivan Lawrence report) on the prospects of fair trial for persons facing prosecution for terrorism and crimes against the state.’ On behalf of the British government, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Lord Triesman, admits that he is ‘concerned about the human rights situation in the Maldives including freedom of expression and association and the right to fair trails conducted with due legal process. We share the view that some recent trials of political activists appear to have political motivations,’ Lord Triesman says.

A special constitutional majlis meeting ends in uproar after MDP members criticise President Gayyoom for interfering, in defiance of the constitution, with the meeting’s proceedings.

March 2006 - updated soon

Dr Mohamed Asim (Maldives High Commissioner for Sri Lanka) owes over RF75,000 to president's special assistance account with Maldives Monetary Authority.
Abdulla Shareef (President's Office) owes nearly Rf900,000 to the president's special assistance account.
Mohamed Unaif granted a further secret loan of Rf350,000 from president's special assistance account.
Abdul Sattar Mohamed granted a further secret loan of Rf150,000 from president's special assistance account.
Ibrahim Siraj granted a secret loan of Rf300,000 from president's special assistance account.
Umar Zahir granted a secret loan of Rf2 million from president's special assistance account.
Zahir Adam, member for southern Huvadhu atoll, granted over Rf1.5 million loan from president's special assistance account.
Ahmed Izzath Sidgee granted a secret loan of over Rf400,000 from president's special assistance account.
Ibrahim Sabir granted a secret loan of Rf300,000 from president's special assistance account.
Abdul Azeez Moosa granted a secret loan of Rf300,000 from president's special assistance account.
Dr Hussein Niyaz granted a secret loan of Rf300,000 from president's special assistance account..

January 2005 - More than 21 resorts shut down due to tsunami damage.
A week after the tsunami, US marines inspect damage in inhabited islands in Maldives accompanied by NSS.
Japan pledges US$16 million for Maldives tsunami aid.
Dead 70 ft blue whale washed ashore at Full Moon resort on Male' atoll.
Continuing protests on eastern Huvadhu atoll over government neglect of tsunami victims.
Allegations of theft and misuse of millions of dollars from tsunami funds.
Dead bodies washed up on Maldives from other Indian Ocean countries swept by the tsunami.
US sends military staff and equipment to Maldives to aid tsunami victims and reconstruction. Hong Kong gives Maldives government US$1 million cash for tsunami aid.
Majlis elections held amid widespread intimidation, bribery and misuse of government property by candidates and supporters of President Gayyoom. Education, health and electricity officials forced to lobby for Gayyoom's candidates. Voting counting is also manipulated by Gayyoom. Despite blatant vote fraud, reformist candidates win many important seats in the major population areas of Male' and Addu atoll, and other atolls, where Gayyoom's high profile candidates are rejected.
Gayyoom announces that Maldives will have a multi-party system within a year. (The MDP is officially registered in Maldives in June 2005.)
Container loads of FOM aid leaves Britain for Maldives.
Corruption allegations against Maldives High Commissioner to UK Hassan Sobir and high-profile tourism businessman Champa Afeef published in Dhivehi Observer.

February 2005 - Abbas Ibrahim (president's brother-in-law) granted secret Rf2 million loan from president's special assistance account with Maldives Monetary Authority.
MDP leader Ibrahim Ismail (Ibra) travels to UK. to lobby for the MDP. He meets officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth office, Amnesty International and the Commonwealth secretariat, and holds meetings with British members of parliament.
Dhivehi Observer reveals business links between the Koli family's Universal Enterprises, Tom McLoughlin (former manager of the Hilton at Rangali resort) and police chief Adam Zahir.
In interview with the BBC in UK, MDP leader Ibrahim Ismail thanks the British people for their generosity after the tsunami, and thanks the FOM organisation for its tsunami help.
Maldives Human Rights Commission reports on its monitoring of the majlis elections in January, and says the elections were not 'free, unbiased or removed from undue influence'.
MDP elects provisional governing council of 15 members.
Gayyoom grants tsunami bonus of Rf1,500 for NSS privates, and undisclosed amounts for senior officers.
Dhivehi Observer exposes links between new majlis members and tourist island resort allocations by President Gayyoom.
Maldives will need US$340 million for tsunami recovery and reconstruction, says the Asian Development Bank, UNDP and World Bank. US$120 million of external financing will be needed in the next 6 months.
Eight NSS privates sentenced to death for murder of Evan Naseem in Maafushi jail. Their sentences are later commuted to life imprisonment by Gayyoom and many are pardoned.
Evan Naseem's mother, Mariyam Manike, condemns President Gayyoom in an interview with Minivan Radio.
Karo Abbas and Abdulla Shahid, former high-ranking members of the NSS imprisoned for life after the attempted coup on 3 November 1988, are pardoned and released by Maumoon Gayyoom.
UNICEF donates 23 water plants to Maldives. Singapore donates desalination plant.
Amnesty International report details systematic abuse of reformists by President Gayyoom and the NSS.
Reporters Without Borders, based in France, condemns Gayyoom's treatment of journalists and writers, and the continuing punishment of the Sandhaanu prisoners.

March 2005 - Fathulla Jameel undergoes heart surgery in Singapore.
Friends Of Maldives founder David Hardingham threatens to sue Miadhu newspaper, often edited by President Gayyoom, after Miadhu claims FOM is a secret Christian missionary organisation.
Gayyoom meets with Singapore tycoon Ong Beng Seng who is now major shareholder in the Maldives tourism industry.
Minivan News reveals Gayyoom has rejected 30 tons of tsunami aid offered by Buruma Gasim Ibrahim's Villa group.
IMF approves US$6 million emergency loan for Maldives, due to the tsunami disaster. Five percent of the Maldives population has been left homeless by the tsunami and net losses to the Maldives' balance of payments are estimated at US$160 million in 2005. Total reconstruction costs are estimated at 50% of GDP.
Capt Adam Mohamed (Fusfaru), a senior officer on duty in charge of security at Maafushi jail the night Evan Naseem was beaten to death, is acquitted of Naseem's murder and found guilty on an insubordination charge.
Dead and injured prisoners continue to be brought to Male' hospital by the NSS.
Father of dead prisoner Muaviath Mahmood lodges complaint with Maldives Human Rights Commission.
Four NSS drug enforcement police arrested over death of Muaviath Mahmood and torture of another prisoner.
World Bank approves US$14 million for post-tsunami reconstruction.
Abbas Ibrahim (Gayyoom's brother-in-law) elected speaker of the special constitutional majlis. 15 members walk out in protest.
Large rises in STELCO electricity prices in Male'.
Decomposed body of Mohamed Shafiu, 26, found in uninhabited island near Hithadhoo, Addu atoll. He was last seen being assaulted in NSS custody.
European parliament delegation visits Maldives.
Gayyoom pays state visit to New Delhi, while two Indian warships anchor near Male'.
Asian Development Bank approves US$20 million grant and US$1.8 million loan for Maldives.
Maldives resorts damaged by the tsunami are all repaired by end of March 2005, at a cost of US$100 million. Many resorts take the opportunity to renovate and upgrade their facilities.

April 2005 - Gayyoom rules out multi-party democracy until constitutional reforms are completed by the special constitutional majlis. Large peaceful night gatherings of reformists demand that political parties be allowed.
Chief Judge Mohamed Rasheed Ibrahim claims a Christian missionary group called Jafwaa, from the US, wanted to build a US$2 billion church in Maldives in 2000. He also warns Maldivians to beware of aid from Christian missionary groups. 'We must be alert,' he says. 'We should not be mesmerised by the aid they give.'
8 April 2005 - Gayyoom's NSS arrest 12 reformists at 2 a.m.
President Gayyoom's national day speech is poorly attended. He claims again that the reformists are plotting to facilitate Christian missionary work in Maldives.
NSS seize two container loads of aid, after a search had revealed a Christmas story book donated by a British schoolgirl.
Gayyoom demands that all tsunami aid from NGOs be channeled through his regime's Disaster Management Centre.
In an interview with Minivan News, Ibrahim Hussein Zaki says there is no possibility of reform with Gayyoom as president.
Emir of Qatar pays state visit to Maldives and tells Gayyoom, 'the achievement of democracy, social justice and equality in rights and duties is the ideal way of attaining affluence and dignity to people and laying down the foundations for building a modern state.'
Gayyoom orders the arrest of a key member of the FOM aid team in Maldives, and also tries to register a bogus Friends of Maldives organisation in UK to intercept tsunami aid money being donated there, and to undermine the real FOM.
The FOM organisation has distributed 100 tons of aid since the tsunami, including medical supplies, food, clothing, water and tools. Vast majority of the people working for FOM are Maldivians working in Maldives to distribute, sort and check the aid. NSS officers accompany every FOM shipment to the atolls.
World's first under-sea restaurant opens at the Hilton Maldives Resort and Spa on Raa atoll.
Acting on a 'tipoff', the police in India's Kerala state arrest and deport Ibrahim Asif to Male' for 'indulging in undesirable and suspicious activities.' On 27 April, The Hindu reports that Asif has been deported after 'the Kerala state police and Indian central agencies foiled an attempt by religious fundamentalist groups based in the UK and Male' to procure arms in Kerala and use them against prominent religious centres and government functionaries in Maldives.' The Hindu quotes 'highly-placed government sources' saying, 'Asif had been doing religious work among tsunami-affected people at Puttalam in Sri Lanka earlier, and intended to procure weapons and explosives from the state using tsunami relief funds collected in the UK.' The organisation in the UK was named as the Jama'ah Tul Muslimeen. According to The Hindu's sources, Ibrahim Asif had been arrested by the NSS in 2000 for 'anti-national activities' and he had traveled to Pakistan in 2004, where he met 'certain fundamentalist groups working against the Pakistan government' and the plot to buy arms in Kerala began.
There is no evidence to support any of these charges against Ibrahim Asif.
In an attempt to intimidate the population, NSS military vehicles manned by fully equipped NSS personnel patrol the streets of Addu atoll
At the Indira Gandhi hospital in Male', a prisoner being brought to from Maafushi jail to the hospital for a checkup is publicly beaten unconscious by 4 NSS personnel at the hospital reception area, after he recognised and abused a NSS serviceman who had tortured him at the jail.
Friends of Maldives founder David Hardingham is denied entry to Maldives from Sri Lanka. Without evidence or credibility, he is accused by Gayyoom of Islamic terrorist links to Ibrahim Asif, and of being the leader of a Christian missionary organisation, the FOM.
Mohamed Nasheed arrives back in Male' after fleeing Maldives in late 2003 to establish the Maldivian Democratic Party in Colombo. He is placed under surveillance by the NSS and his telephone is tapped.

May 2005 - Arbitrary arrests of reformists in Addu, and Dhiraagu Internet systems analyst is also arrested.
Gayyoom opens the One & Only Reethi Rah resort in northern Male' atoll.
Disturbances in Addu atoll, and reports of beatings and torture by the NSS based in Gan island, after protests related to arbitrary arrests of reformists.
Adduvas magazine becomes increasingly critical of the Gayyoom regime but is allowed to continue publishing.
Without evidence or credibility, Gayyoom accuses MDP of having links with alleged Islamic terrorist Ibrahim Asif.
Regular assaults on MDP members in Male' by thugs known to be employed by Gayyoom's brother Yameen Abdulla.
Sandhaanu prisoner Fathimath Nisreen is pardoned and released by Gayyoom. She had been arrested in January 2002 and since that time had been in jail, in exile or under house arrest. Fathimath Nisreen denies she had any part in the preparation and distribution of Sandhaanu.
FOM founder David Hardingham and Maldivian Sarah Mahir and others confront Gayyoom with insults and accusations of human rights abuse, and a five foot poster of Evan Naseem and other victims of NSS torture, in front of the WHO building in Geneva, Switzerland. Sarah Mahir publicly accuses Gayyoom of torturing her family. Before Gayyoom gives his speech, FOM members distribute leaflets to the WHO delegates, detailing tsunami aid theft and the torture practices of Gayyoom's NSS .
MDP holds its first public meeting in the Dhunfinige tent in Galolhu ward of Male'.
Maldives joins the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, MIGA, a member of the World Bank group.
European commission approves details of 323 million euro aid package, part of its 350 million euro post-tsunami reconstruction program for the Indian Ocean region.
Cyprus gives US$110,000 cheque to Maldives for tsunami aid.

June 2005 - Key members of MDP, including Mohamed Nasheed, are arrested in Male' as majlis begins debate on lifting ban on party politics. Gayyoom suddenly became serious about lifting of the ban in May. The majlis swiftly passes a motion to allow political parties.
MDP quickly signs up thousands of new members, while Gayyoom struggles to find people willing to join his DRP party (translates as the Maldivian People's Party). The MDP website is unblocked by Dhiraagu, after being banned since its launch in 2004.
Gayyoom's brother, Yameen Abdulla, attempts to buy Adduvas magazine. The offer is refused.
Yameen Abdulla bullies his staff at STELCO and STO to join Gayyoom's DRP party.
MDP's first official assembly at Iskandharu school in Male' attracts a huge crowd of many thousands. Party membership passes 30,000. Without evidence, Gayyoom's supporters claim to have 25,000 members in the DRP.
Sarah Mahir visits her family in Maldives, only weeks after confronting Gayyoom in Geneva with accusations of torture of her family.
26 June 2005 - Maldivian Democratic Party becomes first official political party registered in Maldives.

July 2005 - Gayyoom's brother, Abdulla Hameed, resigns as atolls minister. Umar Zahir also resigns, along with foreign minister Fathulla Jameel. They are replaced with Gayyoom's younger relatives and regime loyalists.
DRP party selects Gayyoom as their leader with 1,245 votes for the president. DRP officials insist, without evidence, that DRP now has 27,000 members.
Dr Mohamed Waheed officially joins the MDP.
Dhivehi Observer reveals publishes series of articles about corruption by Khadeeja Hassan at the Maldives Monetary Authority. She is a close family friend of Maumoon and Nasreena Gayyoom.
Without evidence or credibility, Gayyoom blacklists Nicola Witt, a coordinator from the UK Maldives Aid organisation associated with FOM.
Minivan Newspaper granted a licence to print in Maldives after waiting over a year. First edition sells out in 2 and half hours.
No government response after torrential rains cause 1 metre high flooding in Vaadhoo island on Huvadhu atoll. leaving the island's population destitute. Gayyoom dispatches 35 members of the NSS to Huvadhu atoll after disturbances in Dhaandhoo and Kolamaafushi islands over favouritism for Gayyoom supporters, and protests in Dhinadhoo island.
People on heavily-populated Thinadhoo island in Huvadhu atoll stage large march calling for resignation of Gayyoom. Over the following days, NSS harass and arrest protest leaders.
Hundreds of demonstrators gather near majlis in Male' calling for release of all Sandhaanu prisoners and other political detainees.

August 2005 - Dhivehi Observer alleges Gayyoom secretly transferred US$60 million to the UK in January 2005 or just before.
NSS use tear gas and electric batons and stun guns to clear crowd from majlis area. In the following days in Male', there are continuing peaceful protests and attacks and arrests of reformists and unlucky bystanders by Gayyoom's NSS.
Gayyoom orders installation of 50 surveillance cameras in Male'.
12 August 2005 - After over a week of continuing unrest, the NSS in full riot gear and shields arrest five MDP protesters, including Mohamed Nasheed, sitting in the middle of the main square. In the coming days, Gayyoom temporarily loses control of Male', and many people are beaten by the NSS and threatened. Beaten and dead prisoners arrive at the hospital in Male' from Dhoonidhoo. A team of doctors and nurses are sent to Dhoonidhoo. Using tear gas, beatings and gunfire, the NSS fight to regain control of Male'. Crowds continue to gather and NSS deploys armoured vehicles and high pressure hoses. For several nights, NSS uses stun guns, pepper spray, rubber bullets, water cannon and electric batons to clear streets. Old people, pregnant women and children are also beaten and hospitalised by the NSS.
Attorney-general Hassan Saeed appears on Maldives television and blames the MDP for organising the violence.
Dhivehi Observer reports that large numbers of NSS are refusing to follow orders to beat people in the streets. Gangs organised by Gayyoom's brother Abdulla Yameen attack MDP leaders and their property.
US government sends human rights expert and political officer to Maldives to investigate the unrest in Male'. They observe street violence and speak with the Maldives government and MDP officials.
Gayyoom arrests Maldive businessmen associated with MDP.
After saying Mohamed Nasheed had been arrested for sitting in the main square for his own safety on 11 August, regime spokesmen blame Nasheed for leading the continuing revolt.
Unrest continues in Male' and Addu atoll, where Gayyoom reinforces NSS in Gan island.
MDP senior member Ibrahim Hussein Zaki calls for caretaker government and elections in Maldives.
Many arrests on Addu atoll, and transfer of prisoners to Male'.
Arrests on Thinadhoo, Huvadhu atoll.
MDP invites EU to send a fact-finding mission to Maldives.
Buruma Gasim Ibrahim, imprisoned and tortured by Gayyoom after the rally of August 2004, leaves the MDP and is appointed finance minister in Gayyoom's cabinet.
Sandhaanu Zaki is released from house arrest.
Mohamed Nasheed begins hunger strike in prison.
Red Cross visits detainees in Maldives jails.
Asian Centre for Human Rights in New Delhi claims 350 people have been arrested by the NSS since the unrest began, and urges intervention by India and the United Nations in Maldives.
Maldives state media announces that Mohamed Nasheed is to be charged with terrorism and inciting violence.
USAID launches Indian Ocean tsunami warning program.
UN expresses concern about human rights abuses in Maldives.
International Commission of Jurists, ICJ, announces it will observe the trial of Mohamed Nasheed.
Gayyoom's NSS hunt down key reformists in Thinadhoo, Huvadhu atoll. Arrests continue for weeks.
MDP denies any involvement in the unrest in Male' since August. 'Some groups have planned and conducted illegal operations to defame the party and destroy our support, and the MDP has been negatively affected,' says MDP senior official Ibrahim Ismail (Ibra) at a press conference in Male'.

September 2005 - Five NSS servicemen sentenced to life imprisonment over the shooting of unarmed prisoners in Maafushi jail in September 2003.
European Union report of investigation from 24-26 August of the disturbances of 12-14 August and arrest of demonstrators including Mohamed Nasheed, chairman of the MDP. EU welcomes Gayyoom's decision to allow International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) to observe trial proceedings. Urges consultation between all parties to the reform process. 'Genuine commitment to democracy requires living up to the spirit as well as the letter of reform,' the report says.
Mohamed Nasheed's health deteriorates in prison.
NSS attempt to confiscate sound system at large MDP meeting.
State evidence and signed statements collected by the NSS against Mohamed Nasheed after his speech in Thoddu island on 30 June, are exposed as bogus.
All party rallies are banned by Gayyoom until after Mohamed Nasheed's trial on 14 September and the anniversary of Evan Naseem's murder on 19 September. Nasheed's trial is suddenly brought forward by a week, and then postponed without explanation.
UN reports that 90,000 Maldivians still face drinking water shortages caused by the tsunami.
Islamic preacher Ibrahim Fareed is released from detention after being held since August 2004. He accuses Gayyoom's government of framing him on terrorist charges.
Maldives foreign minister Ahmed Shaheed and the finance minister Buruma Gasim Ibrahim visit Delhi to discuss Maldives' first budget deficit in decades.
FOM protesters demonstrate during a secret visit by Gayyoom and his family to the Maldives High Commission in London, and call for the release of political prisoners and Mohamed Nasheed.
Mohamed Nasheed has an operation on his arm. He remains in prison.
Gayyoom launches prosecutions against Minivan Newspaper.
Remains of three dead people found in Hithadhoo, Addu atoll.
US ambassador Jeffrey Lunstead gives strong support to the Maldives democracy movement and criticises the Gayyoom regime for restricting Maldivians' right of assembly and free speech. He says he has visited Maldives 6 times in the previous 2 years and traveled in the atolls.
Team of four senior British barristers headed by Sir Ivan Lawrence QC condemn the conduct of the trial of Mohamed Nasheed.
British deputy high commissioner Lesley Craig visits MDP office in Hithadhoo on Addu atoll.
Maldives human rights commissioner Ahmed Mujutaba resigns because he is unable to perform his duties independently.

October 2005 - Islamic preacher Ibrahim Fareed officially joins MDP.
Four young men sentenced to over 10 years jail each for participation in the September 2003 riot in Male'.
Maldives Aid in partnership with FOM announces start of desalination project in Filadhoo island, Haa Alif atoll.
World Bank expresses concern that teachers and civil servants may not be paid in Maldives.
Finance minister Buruma Gasim Ibrahim asks majlis for emergency budget grant of US$7.82 million to make up the STELCO electricity company cash shortfall that followed Yameen Abdulla's departure from its management.
DRP meeting poorly attended in Male'.
MDP delegation visits Guraidhoo island on Male' atoll. 50 homes were destroyed there by the tsunami and most families are still living in tents.
Two Minivan Newspaper journalists arrested.
Jennifer Latheef sentenced to 10 years jail for terrorism during the Male' riot of September 2003.
India is named as a source of teargas supplies for the NSS.
Senior MDP official Ibrahim Ismail (Ibra) says the MDP is considering a civil disobedience campaign.
UN under-secretary-general and executive director of UN-HABITAT Anna Tibaijuka visits Maldives. Ten months after the tsunami, 11,300 Maldivians remain homeless.
Mohamed Nasheed beaten by the NSS police during transfer to and from his trial in Male', as large crowd demands his release.

November 2005 - High court judge Hameed assaults man on the streets of Male'.
Mohamed Nasheed moved from prison to house arrest with his family in Male'. He resumes active politics with the MDP.
Articles in Dhivehi Observer condemn the ethical and objective standards of the Asian Development Bank and World Bank reports on Maldives, and the banks' practice of ignoring the economic effects of corruption and gross over-expenditure by the President and the NSS.
Fighting breaks out between Hulhudhufaru islanders and tsunami refugees on the island from Kandholhudhoo.
Former residents of Mundoo island on Laam atoll remain camping in temporary shelter on Gan island in Laam.
Shipment of riot gear for the NSS arrives in Male' from Malaysia. It includes 1,000 batons with electric shock capability, 500 gas masks and 1,000 gas mask filters. Total cost of the consignment is US$75,000 plus customs duties.
World Bank subsidiary, the International Finance Corporation, lends US$20 million to Wataniya Telecom Maldives.
Minivan journalist Abdulla Saeed (Fahala) remains in jail after his detention without charge is extended for a further thirty days.
Gayyoom calls for all-party talks. MDP responds positively but doubts Gayyoom's sincerity because MDP proposals for such talks have always been ignored by Gayyoom in the past.
Gayyoom fails to name Human Rights Commission in the timeframe required by law.
Document leaked to Dhivehi Observer proves a UNDP consultant Antony Dolman prepared a full mission statement and other recommendations in 1997 that formed most of Gayyoom's Vision 2020 ideas.
India transfers a fast-attack patrol craft to Maldives.
Massive wastage of the tuna fishing catch in Maldives due to corruption, incompetence and lack of investment in freezer and processing infrastructure.
MDP holds first round of internal party elections.

December 2005 - Friends of Maldives in UK urges boycott of resorts owned by leading members of Gayyoom's regime.
Red Cross tsunami response update says 85 housing blocks have been completed in Maldives, and 134 homes are under construction in Guraidhoo, Kudahuvadhoo and Maafushi islands. Relief facilities have been provided for 20,000 people. 10,500 water tanks and rain water harvesting kits have been distributed. 32 generators have been installed benefiting 17,000 people. Many school students have been trained in first aid techniques. However, the reports says 2,111 permanent homes and 32 public building remain to be constructed. There are plans to set up waste management systems on 74 islands, which do not have them. A further 4,500 water tanks and rain water harvesting kits remain to be distributed.
19-21 December - MDP holds its first national congress. Ibrahim Ismail (Ibra) is elected party president. Ibrahim Hussein Zaki is elected party vice-president and Mohamed Nasheed is elected as party chairman. Despite vigorous campaigning, the congress votes and election results take place with no violence or public rancour between members.
Majlis by-election result gives MDP two seats out of three, and in the Shaviyani election won officially by the DRP candidate, there is strong evidence of vote-rigging by Gayyoom supporters.
Adduvas magazine publishes details in Dhivehi of US$10 million in secret loans granted by President Maumoon Gayyoom to selected members of the majlis and other senior administrators and associates, including the chief judge Mohamed Rasheed Ibrahim and NSS police chief Adam Zahir, who has made no repayments.
Minivan Radio and website office in Colombo Sri Lanka is raided by 10 Sri Lankan police claiming to be acting on an Interpol alert. The office is searched for arms. Nothing is found. The Minivan Radio office moves to UK.
Arbitrary arrests and detentions continue, while many of the detainees from the mass arrests in August 2005 are released.

Umar Shafeeu and Ahmed Shafeeu, from the house of Adam Naeem (President's Office) are granted secret loans of Rf1 million each, from president's special assistance account with Maldives Monetary Authority.
Mohamed Unaif granted a secret loan of Rf350,000 from president's special assistance account.
Abdul Sattar Mohamed granted a secret loan of Rf500,000 from president's special assistance account.
Mohamed Ali granted a secret loan of Rf1 million from president's special assistance account.
Abida Gasim granted a further secret loan of Rf200,000 from president's special assistance account.
Aminath Jameel granted a secret loan of Rf300,000 from president's special assistance account.
Hussein Rasheed Yusuf granted a secret loan of Rf125,000 from president's special assistance account..

The Maldives Ministry of Finance is paying off MSL loans amounting to US$23 million. Other MSL-related shipping debts outstanding in 2004 are US$10 million owed to Singapore suppliers and US$3 million owed to Iraq.
The cost of renting a single room with toilet, food, water and electricity in Male' is approximately Rf3,850 per month. The average monthly wage is Rf1,900.

January 2004 - President Gayyoom presents to the Majlis two heavily censored Maafushi reports (cut to about 10% of original reports) concerning death of Evan Naseem and the shootings the following day.
Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) representatives meet with British High Commissioner in Sri Lanka.

February 2004 - Fight in Dhiddhoo island in Haa Alif atoll between supporters of Samaru Ibrahim Manik and islanders over misuse of funds for Manik's majlis election campaign.
More than 700 members of the NSS threaten to resign.
Secret meeting at President's office attended by President Gayyoom, NSS generals Mohamed Zahir and Adam Zahir, and NSS Lieutenant colonel Moosa Ali Jaleel.
Gayyoom forms secret illegal group of thugs controlled by his brother Yameen Abdulla and Ilyas Ibrahim.
MDP holds its first council elections using the Internet and SMS messaging. To prevent a public protest rally, Maldivian Democratic party supporters and their wives and children arrested by NSS in pre-dawn raids in Male'. Men, women and children handcuffed, dragged and thrown into trucks.
Several days after these arrests, the new attorney-general Dr Hassan Saeed charges six people including Jennifer Latheef with terrorism during the September 2003 riot.
On same day, charges also filed against eleven NSS privates and one NSS lance-corporal for the death of Evan Naseem at Maafushi jail in September 2003. Attorney-general demands the death penalty for these 12 young men, but over the coming months and years they are treated very leniently by the courts and the prison system. Their sentences are kept short and most are quickly pardoned. Other NSS personnel are charged over the shootings of Maafushi prisoners on the day after Naseem's death, and related matters.
Maldivian Democratic party representatives Mohamed Nasheed and Ahmed Moosa (editor of Dhivehi Observer website) meet officials from the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
President Gayyoom announces the police force will be separated from the NSS. Later events, and statements by the police chief NSS general Adam Zahir, prove that although the police uniform changes, the police remain, in reality, a subsection of the NSS.

March 2004 - Maldivian Democratic Party moves to UK due to Sri Lankan police and Maldivian High Commission harassment.
Sandhaanu website established by Ibrahim Luthfee in Switzerland. (In 2005, Luthfee ceases publication for family reasons.)
17 March - Twenty-three Thinadhoo islanders drowned after the overcrowded boat Enamaa capsizes in the Huvadhu atoll lagoon returning from Viligili island with 126 people aboard. NSS prevents rescuers from leaving Thinadhoo until enraged people attack the island office and sail out to the disaster area. They return with drowned and bloated bodies. Mass burial follows.

April 2004 - Speaking at the 112th anniversary of the NSS, President Gayyoom tells the assembled militia at a private ceremony that democratic reform is a plot by Christian missionaries and reformists who were un-Islamic and acting illegally. Gayyoom tells the NSS to hunt down reformists. Adam Zahir and Mohamed Zahir, heads of the NSS, are each promoted to the rank of major-general. Isthafa Ibrahim Mohamed Manik, chief administrator of the torture of prisoners for President Ibrahim Nasir and then President Gayyoom, resigns from the defence department. He keeps other government positions and is publicly praised by Gayyoom. Colonel Ahmed Zahir resigns from the NSS. He was appalled by the events of September 2003.
Islamic preacher Ibrahim Fareed released from house arrest but forbidden to travel outside Male'.
Maldives signs UN Convention against Torture.
IMF consultation with Maldives: Tourism receipts grew by 15% during 2003, and inflation was negative, due mainly to falling prices for locally grown food. Rufiya is pegged to US dollar, and the dollar's depreciation against the euro since 2001 has improved Maldives' competitive position. Economic output growth in 2003 was 8.5%, according to the IMF. Due to increased foreign financing, external debt as a share of GDP was 40.5%, up 7% from 2001.The IMF stresses the need to prepare the country for market-based financing and to encourage private inflows of capital. It is important to have a clear separation of the roles of minister of finance and governor of the Maldives Monetary Authority, says the IMF.

May 2004 - Without evidence or court proceedings, the Maldives media, controlled by the president's relatives and old friends, accuses Ibrahim Fareed of being a terrorist.
Large quantities of heroin packaged for sale as small pellet-shaped packets, wash up onto Viligili beach adjacent to Male'. Hundreds of NSS personnel search the Viligili lagoon.

June 2004 - President Gayyoom proposes constitutional reform for a more democratic Maldives on 9 June. These proposals include:
- more than one candidate in the presidential referendum.
- divesting president of control over judiciary.
- permitting women to contest the presidency.
- two 5 year term limit for presidency.
- creation of a prime minister appointed by president on advice from the people's majlis.
- abolishing presidential appointments to the majlis (currently 15% of members).
- permitting formation and activities of political parties.
- establishment of a supreme court.
MDP supports his proposals. However, Gayyoom continues to block and sabotage the reform process.
Gayyoom tells BBC that legal opinion 'from our legal experts' says that the Maldives constitution prevents political parties.
President Gayyoom, through Singapore-based lawyers, threatens the editors of Maldives Culture (resident in Canberra, Australia) with legal action over an email to the editors they have published about Koli Ali Umar Manik, who is resident in Singapore.
Friends of Maldives organisation, based in UK and headed by David Hardingham, launches its website.
Large attendance at two hour seminar on party politics organised by the MDP in Male'. A second highly successful meeting is held on 5 July.

July 2004 - Gayyoom bans future public meetings about democratic reform after two large meetings are attended by thousands in Male'. Reformists defy the ban and continue to hold peaceful and well-attended meetings.
World Bank approves US$15.76 million credit to the Maldives government to deliver education, health and nutrition, employment and community services, particularly to remote island regions.
Gayyoom pardons Guraidhoo island chief Abdul Hadee just after he is sentenced to 5 years banishment for corruption and theft, and re-instates him as island chief.
President's office payroll database is leaked to Dhivehi Observer website in UK . The database reveals that Koli Ali Umar Manik, resident in Singapore for decades, is a special advisor to Gayyoom and paid a ministerial salary.
Bidding begins for new Maldive islands made available for resort development, amid widespread allegations of bribery.
24 reformist members walk out of the special majlis when Gayyoom's brother, Abdulla Hameed, attempts to have a show of hands vote for the speaker, instead of the usual secret vote. They walk directly to the president's office, passing a cordon of NSS police, and have a heated meeting with Maumoon Gayyoom. Lawsuit is filed against Abdulla Hameed by reformist majlis member Ilyas Hussein. Gayyoom rejects the lawsuit.
Respected high court judge Ahmed Hameed Fahmy is transferred out of the court system without explanation.
Dr Mohamed Waheed, a former majlis member and successful administrator forced to resign his seat in 1992 and driven out of the country by Gayyoom, returns to Male' after a successful career with the UN and announces his intention to be a candidate for the presidency.
Sri Lankan foreign minister holds one and half hour meeting with MDP delegates.
Draft report on the criminal justice system of Maldives and proposals for reform is completed by Professor Paul Robinson for the UNDP. Robinson says, 'The Maldivian criminal justice system systematically fails to do justice and regularly does injustice.'

August 2004 - A young critic of the government Ali Naz Saleem, 26, approaches Gayyoom after Friday prayers in Male'. He is denied access to a lawyer, declared insane and in need of treatment at the Guraidhoo island psychiatric facilities.
Meeting in India between Lieutenant-general Anbaree Abdul Sattar and Indian defence minister to discuss defence co-operation and training.
Maldives justice minister tries to make lawyer Husnu Al-Suood sign an admission statement over the attempt to charge the President's brother Abdulla Hameed with treason for his handling of the vote for the special majlis speaker in July.
Asked to explain the continuing closure of the large government boat-building facility in Alifushi island on Raa atoll since 2002, the fisheries minister Abdulla Kamaludeen says, 'At one stage the government made a decision to re-open and run it, but what happened was private people showed interest, so we realised that our previous belief, that private people would not be interested in running the business, was wrong.'
Old government building rented by the ministry for finance and treasury burns to the ground in the main street of Male', only days after after bundles of government documents are transferred there. Files from the Fisheries Projects Implementation Department, FPID, (MIFCO's former name) and finance department records are destroyed.
Ilyas Hussein is sacked from the ministry of atolls development, for attempting to charge the president's brother Abdulla Hameed with treason.
Large open air public meetings in Male' demand reform.
Slight increase in government wages. Large increases for senior government members.
11 August 2004 - Judge in Male' attempts to give Ibrahim Fareed a long sentence under the Religious Unity Protection law. Fareed and a small group of supporters conduct protest march through streets of the capital.
13 August 2004 - Black Friday in Male'. Large public rally in the main square of Male' demands reform and release of political prisoners. Some political prisoners are temporarily permitted to speak at the rally, and Gayyoom's family members encourage reformists to attend. Numbers at the rally peak on Friday morning, and many have drifted away from the area by the afternoon when Gayyoom orders the NSS to attack the rally and then the homes of known reformists. Many people, including young children and old people, are beaten severely in the streets and houses of Male'. Houses of reformists are vandalised and women assaulted. Mass arrests of over 1,000 people. Many prisoners are blindfolded and beaten in custody in Male' and during transportation to other NSS islands, where they are beaten again.
Minivan Radio begins independent broadcasts, prepared by MDP supporters, from overseas into Maldives. It is jammed in Male' by Gayyoom, but becomes a valuable source of information for the 70% of the population living in the atolls.
Call by British EU member Nirj Deva for economic sanctions against Gayyoom.
The South Asian regions' newspapers are critical of Gayyoom's actions against the reformists.
Former Seychelles president James Mancham recommends reconciliation in Maldives between Gayyoom and the reformist movement.
Friends of Maldives questions the distribution of tourism revenue in Maldives.

September 2004 - NSS nominally separates into police and military organisations. The police are now under the ministry of home affairs and the military stays in the department of defence. At the ceremony to celebrate the separation, police chief NSS major-general Adam Zahir says, 'Although we are now wearing a separate uniform and have different responsibilities, we are very closely related like brothers. We will always see ourselves in the same way. We must see ourselves the same. We will teach our juniors to see themselves as the same. In the future, we will have eating and workplaces in separate buildings, but the police and the militia must, and will, work together. Both will be dependant on each other and the police and the military are very close friends. We will be working in separate uniforms with different responsibilities, but for the same aim.'
Gayyoom relinquishes the defence and finance portfolios, which he had held since 1978.
EU calls on Gayyoom to repeal the state of emergency.
Later, the European parliament passes a resolution calling for a travel ban to Maldives and blocking of EU aid.
Gayyoom freezes bank accounts of detained reformists.
Law Society in UK calls for release of reformist detainees, particularly lawyers Husnu Al-Suood and Dr Mohamed Munavvar
Gayyoom's ministers' salary rates are revealed in Dhivehi Observer. They receive Rf30,000 to Rf50,000 per month, while the average government wage is Rf1900 per month. Ministers' spouses receive salary of Rf10,000 - Rf12,000 per month and dress allowance. Junior ministers are paid a base rate of Rf6,000 per month. Senior NSS officers receive between Rf20,000 and Rf40,000 per month, and their other expenses are unknown.
Police Chief Adam Zahir granted a further Rf4 million loan from president's special assistance account with Maldives Monetary Authority
More prominent reformist leaders are arrested by Gayyoom.
Ibrahim Fareed sentenced to two years jail, charges included terrorist offences related to his speech to the crowd on 13 August.
Buruma Gasim Ibrahim is admitted to hospital from solitary confinement in Dhoonidhoo.
Dhivehi Observer website records 8 million hits for the month.
Buruma Gasim Ibrahim's Villa head office is raided by Gayyoom's NSS.

October 2004 - Maldives government signs agreement on prison monitoring with Red Cross.
Reports from Addu atoll of low level government staff not receiving their salaries.
Buruma Gasim Ibrahim removed from hospital and transferred back to Dhoonidhoo jail.
Ibrahim Hussein Zaki's former personal secretary Aminath Viliniya is arrested, interrogated and released next day.
Ibrahim Ismail (Ibra) is admitted to hospital from solitary confinement in Dhoonidhoo jail where he has been held since August 13.
Ibrahim Hussein Zaki, a former Gayyoom minister, admitted to hospital in critical condition after being held in solitary confinement in Dhoonidhoo since August 13.
Gayyoom repeals state of emergency declared on 13 August.
Dr Mohamed Munavvar, Gayyoom's former attorney-general, brought briefly to hospital in Male'. He has been held in solitary confinement in Dhoonidhoo since August 13.
Abbas Ibrahim, brother-in-law of Maumoon Gayyoom, elected speaker of the special constitutional majlis. Twelve MPs walk out of the meeting in protest.
Sandhaanu prisoner Ahmed Didi remains in jail despite doctor's warning that he is suffering from severe coronary heart disease.
Leading members of the MDP claim the NSS is raping their family members and other female and male detainees All assaults are video-taped.
Naifaru islanders on Lhaviyani atoll receive a public notice from the island chief forbidding them to listen to Minivan Radio and to report people who criticise the public notice.
Parents in Feydhoo island Addu atoll asked to pay the salary of their government teachers.
Dhivehi Observer reveals that Gayyoom is granted US$14 million by the Maldives Monetary Authority for presidential expenses in 2004, equal to about half government expenditures on health or education. In the previous six years, Gayyoom's expenses have averaged US$12 million per year.
Massive wastage in the fishing industry. Up to 80% of the catch on Huvadhu atoll cannot be processed. Fresh chilled tuna sells for US$23 in UK, but it sells in Maldives for 20 cents a kilo, and in Thailand fetches only US$1 per kilo.
Commonwealth secretary-general visits Gayyoom, who agrees to accept expert advice on strengthening the Maldives election commission.
Gayyoom begins releasing reformists from solitary confinement and places them under house arrest in their homes in Male'.
NSS Lt. GeneralAnbaree Abdul Sattar appointed high commissioner to India by Gayyoom.
Sandhaanu prisoner Fathimath Nisreen banished again after being under house arrest in Male'.
In UK, Mohamed Nasheed threatens Gayyoom with torture charges in UK courts if reformists are charged in Maldives after enduring imprisonment and torture since 13 August.
Gayyoom continues to bring charges against reformist MPs.

November 2004 -Reformists in detention begin hunger strike. As the strike intensifies, more sick reformists are transferred from jail to house arrest.
Friends of Maldives (FOM) demonstrates against the Gayyoom dictatorship in London at World Travel Market fair and the Hilton Hotel, Park Lane. Gayyoom's son Gassan yells at the demonstrators at the World Travel Market and loudly claims that the deaths and shootings at Maafushi jail in 2003 never happened. At the Hilton hotel, Champa Afeef defends the dictatorship in a heated discussion with FOM leader David Hardingham.
Gayyoom refuses to permit 200 education scholarships granted by Buruma Gasim Ibrahim's Villa organisation.
Wataniya company granted licence to provide mobile phone services in Maldives.
Minivan Radio News website launched.
Friends of Maldives demonstrate at Maldivian High Commission in London.
Dhivehi Observer reports on the number of high rise buildings in Male' and other luxury homes owned by high level officials in Gayyoom's government - Abdulla Shahid, Mohamed Hussein, Ilyas Ibrahim, Ahmed Abdulla, Fathulla Jameel, Samaru Ibrahim Manik, Mohamed Rasheed Ibrahim, Abdul Rasheed Hussein, Anbaree Abdul Sattar, Umar Zahir, Adam Zahir, Yameen Abdulla, Hassan Sobir and Dr Mohamed Latheef.
European Commission reports that during Gayyoom's rule the World Bank has lent Maldives US$87 million for development, and the Asian Development bank has lent US$75.2 million. Average growth rate was 10% per year during the 1980s, down to a 8.4% average in the 1990s, slowing to 4.6% in 2000. Tourism accounts for 19% of GDP, 20% of employment, 30% of tax revenues and 70% of foreign exchange earnings.
Friends of Maldives officially opened by Mayor of Salisbury in UK.
President Gayyoom, accompanied by other officials including the chief justice Mohamed Rasheed Ibrahim, visits military supply factory in Jordan to purchase equipment for the NSS.
Gayyoom uses secret night courts for reformists.
Second wave of knife slashing attacks on Naifaru island. This Lhaviyani atoll island is adjacent to a NSS base in Madivaru island.
Mass resignation of foreign doctors at regional hospital in Hithadhoo island on Addu atoll, due to failure to halt attacks on doctors and their property. Vigilante justice occurs on Hithadhoo as outraged islanders blame NSS connivance with local gangs for the loss of hospital services.

December 2004 - Human Rights Commission instructed by Gayyoom not to proceed with investigations into events of 12 and 13 August in 2004.
Gayyoom loyalist Ibrahim Rasheed Moosa resigns from the Human Rights Commission and attempts to smear human rights commissioner Ahmed Mujutaba.
During campaigning for the majlis election, then scheduled for 31 December 2004, Gayyoom continually arrests and detains reformist candidates, while Gayyoom's candidates are free to intimidate and bribe their electorates with private and government resources. Voting counting is fraudulent and the NSS interferes with voting boxes on Gayyoom's behalf.
Maldives has one only psychiatrist for its 300,000 people.
Buruma Gasim Ibrahim, Dr Mohamed Munavvar, Ibrahim Hussein Zaki and Ibrahim Ismail (Ibra) are charged under article 29 of the Maldives Penal Code with 'acts against the state and causing disharmony', carrying a penalty of 15 years jail.
Buruma Gasim Ibrahim released from house arrest but forbidden to travel abroad.
Dr Mohamed Munavvar, Ilyas Hussein and Ibrahim Hussein Zaki released from house arrest.
Human Rights Commission demands investigation into allegations made against it by Ibrahim Rasheed Moosa. Gayyoom snubs Human Rights Commission report presentation.
The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, affiliated with the US Democrats, publishes 60 page report highly critical of the Gayyoom dictatorship.
26 December 2004 - Tsunami hits Maldives and other Indian Ocean countries. Waves between 4-14 feet high sweep over much of Maldives. Twenty-one islands devastated, and 14 islands are evacuated. 100,000 Maldivians are directly affected by the tsunami, nearly 12,000 are displaced and another 8,500 temporarily relocated. 83 people are confirmed dead, with a further 25 missing and feared dead. Over 1,300 people are injured. 1,700 homes are destroyed and 3,000 damaged. Gayyoom later claims to have set up a ministerial committee and task force within hours of the disaster, but there is little evidence of government action in the days after the tsunami.
Majlis elections rescheduled to 22 January 2005.
Delays in helping tsunami victims and general government inaction and corruption enrages many island communities rendered homeless, hungry and destitute by the tsunami.
Gayyoom resists offers of tsunami help from NGOs, and demands money rather than physical aid and donations of goods.
Gayyoom drops charges against many of the pro-democracy reformists arrested, tortured and jailed in solitary confinement for involvement in the August 2004 rally.

Chief Judge Mohamed Rasheed Ibrahim granted secret loan of nearly Rf6 million from president's special assistance account with Maldives Monetary Authority.
Abdulla Shahid granted secret loan of nearly Rf3 million from president's special assistance account.
Ibrahim Hussein (President's Office) granted a secret loan of Rf900,000 from president's special assistance account.

World Bank president James Wolfenshon describes Maldives as 'a republic, with a democratic system of government.'
Government expenditure on NSS is now equal to Education expenditure at Rf500 million each. NSS purchases amphibious landing craft from New Zealand.
Internet discussion group called Dhivehi Forum attracts increasing readership and contributors. Moderator begins to allow discussion of sensitive political issues. President Gayyoom bans Dhivehi Forum from single Dhiraagu server controlling Maldives Internet connections.

January 2000 - Man on Thinadhoo stabs his father-in-law to death in the street in broad daylight. The father-in-law is awaiting trial on charges of sexually molesting his five year old grand-daughter.
Faafu atoll chief Zakariya Hameed (childhood friend of Gayyoom) claims he is assaulted at night on Magoodhoo island. He accuses one man, and then drops that claim and accuses another. Eyewitnesses claim he was drunk and fell into a wall. When Gayyoom hears Zakariya's accusations he sends the NSS to Magoodhoo and over 20 people from the island are arrested, imprisoned, tortured and exiled without trial. The atoll office is moved from Magoodhoo to Nilandhoo island, the home of Zakariya Hameed. At the end of 2000, a court in Male' clears all the men of any charges.

March 2000 - Air Maldives collapses due to the deal signed by Anbaree Abdul Sattar in 1999. Losses are estimated between US$50 million and US$70 million. The long-haul route flown by the aircraft from London was never commercially viable, the leases cost over US$1 million per month and the losses started to multiply. On March 1, Air Maldives ceases all international operations. Six weeks later, the carrier closes down for good.

September 2000 - Haveeru reports that women are being employed in growing numbers in Male's west harbour teashops, but harassment is a serious problem for waitresses.
Ismail Sadiq escapes from NSS custody in Thailand where he is visiting his sick daughter. He is stabbed by NSS Sgt Aseeth.

December 2000 - Ismail Sadiq's wife Mariyam Jumna Sadiq writes to President Gayyoom with details of corruption and illegal sexual behaviour by senior ministers and officials. She alleges that foreign minister Fathulla Jameel asked her husband Ismail Sadiq to seek re-election funds for Gayyoom from IBU Bangkok, Dongwon and other Korean companies. Mrs Sadiq demands that debts owed to her husband be repaid, and says she has video and audio recordings to back many of her allegations. She claims that over the preceding ten years in Male', her car was hit by gunfire (1991), her house set ablaze and her daughter poisoned.