Former Maldivian President Nasheed urges India for help to control the situation
Male, February 7: Former President Mohamed Nasheed has asked the Indian government to support the Maldivian people to release prisoners and the US to curb leaders' financial transactions.
The turmoil began when current President Abdulla Yameen refused to release political dissidents, defying a court order and sparking protests.
In his tweet Nasheed said “On behalf of Maldivian people we humbly request India to send envoy, backed by its military, to release judges & pol. detainees inc. Prez. Gayoom. We request a physical presence.”
On Tuesday night, the Supreme Court revoked its move to free the prisoners.Two of its top judges had already been arrested. The remaining three have now issued a statement, saying the order was being rescinded "in light of the concerns raised by the president", says the local media.
In response Indian Government has expressed disturbance on the declaration of emergency saying “We are disturbed by the declaration of a State of Emergency in the Maldives following the refusal of the Government to abide by the unanimous ruling of the full bench of the Supreme Court on 1 February, and also by the suspension of Constitutional rights of the people of Maldives. The arrest of the Supreme Court Chief Justice and political figures are also reasons for concern. The government continues to carefully monitor the situation.”
The unrest began in 2015 when Nasheed, the country's first democratically elected leader, was jailed on "terrorism" charges relating to the arrest of a judge during his tenure. The trial declared unfair by the UN, prompted widespread protests and resulted in the arrest of hundreds of dissidents.