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LATEST UPDATES: The presidential office in Maldives has said that the state of Emergency was imposed in order to protect the citizens of the country in the aftermath of the protests over the supreme court’s verdict. Meanwhile, a senior defence expert has ruled out a possibility of India trying a “Operation Cactus”-like military intervention. After the United States, the United Kingdom Foreign Office has urged President Abdulla Yameen to end the state of emergency and restore democratic institutions. Meanwhile, the MDP, the largest party in the country, demanded that the arrested judges be released at the earliest. The united Opposition has condemned the state of Emergency in the island, calling it “unconstitutional”. The US National Security Council has also tweeted in support of the Maldivian people and urged the president to follow the directions of the supreme court. A leader of the Maldivian opposition, Eva Abdulla has slammed the Yameen administration for its crackdown against the chief justice in the aftermath of the state of Emergency, which was imposed on Monday. The Maldivian Police has arrested the Chief Justice of the Maldives Supreme Court Abdulla Saeed and other judges in alleged cases of corruption. The arrest came just hours after President Abdulla Gayoom declared a state of Emergency. Maldives President Abdulla Yameen declared a 15-day state of emergency in the honeymoon islands, before heavily armed troops stormed the country’s top court and a former president was arrested in a deepening political crisis. The tiny tourist archipelago has been plunged into chaos recently, with the president pitted against the Supreme Court after he refused to comply with its Thursday order to release nine political dissidents. The tense standoff comes amid a years-long government crackdown on dissent that has battered the image of the upmarket holiday paradise, with the president jailing almost all the political opposition since he came to power in 2013. Maldives police arrested Yameen’s estranged half-brother and former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who had sided with the main opposition and was campaigning against him. The 80-year-old, who was president for 30 years until the country’s first democratic elections in 2008, was taken away from his home in the capital Male around midnight, according to a tweet from his daughter Yumna Maumoon. [caption id=“attachment_4337391” align=“alignleft” width=“379”] File image of Maldives president Abdulla Yameen. AFP[/caption] Shortly before he was taken in by the police, Gayoom also recorded a video message posted on Twitter to his supporters. “I have not done anything to be arrested,” he said. “I urge you to remain steadfast in your resolve too. We will not give up on the reform work we are doing.” Heavily armed troops and police special operations units had earlier stormed the Supreme Court building where Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed and others were sheltering, the court said on Twitter, though their fate was not immediately clear. Hundreds of people had gathered outside the courts complex and police used pepper spray to disperse the crowds. The court’s shock move on Thursday had also ordered the government to restore the seats of 12 legislators sacked for defecting from Yameen’s party, giving the opposition the majority in the assembly, meaning they could potentially impeach the president. A defiant government – which has since ordered police and troops to resist any attempt to arrest or impeach Yameen – said the court was not above the law. “The Supreme Court ruling stands in defiance of the highest authority in the country: the constitution,” government spokesman Ibrahim Hussain Shihab said in a statement. “The Supreme Court must remember that it too is bound by law.” He said the government would “facilitate calm” and ensure the safety of all citizens and tourists “throughout this unusual period.” With inputs from AFP
Maldives crisis updates: Experts rule out 'Operation Cactus'-like Indian intervention amid country's political crisis
Maldives President Abdulla Yameen declared a 15-day state of emergency in the honeymoon islands, before heavily armed troops stormed the country’s top court and a former president was arrested in a deepening political crisis.
 "Maldives crisis updates: Experts rule out 'Operation Cactus'-like Indian intervention amid country's political crisis")
Senior defence expert Nitin Gokhale rules out repeat of ‘Operation Cactus’
Will India intervene in Maldives? It’s anybody’s guess but those invoking the example of Operation Cactus must remember India sent paratroopers there at the invitation of the incumbent President. That possibility in the present context is non-existent
— Nitin A. Gokhale (@nitingokhale) February 6, 2018
State of Emergency to protect the citizens of Maldives, says presidential decree
India may be in a fix over Maldives
Writing for The Indian Express, C Raja Mohan sought to dismiss three myths about India’s neighbourhood policy. While doing so, Raja, who is the director of Carnagie India, added that India may not predict the consequence of trying to fix Maldives problems.
Maldivian president office’s official Twitter handle assures safety of all foreigners
Safety of foreigners living in and visiting the Maldives will be ensured #MaldivesFirst pic.twitter.com/ax8TlBkjuR
— The President's Office (@presidencymv) February 5, 2018
The letter proclaiming state of emergency
President declares State of Emergencyhttps://t.co/kUpn2FEtN9 pic.twitter.com/xNhJhLcvwL
— The President's Office (@presidencymv) February 5, 2018
Why China is a major source of problem for India in Maldives
Much to India’s chagrin, Beijing has already signed a free-trade agreement with Maldives. It is hugely ramping up trade and diplomatic links with a nation proximate to the Indian mainland and considered firmly within New Delhi’s strategic sphere of influence. Chinese companies are ousting Indian ones in infrastructure projects, the Maldivian political system is tilting away from democracy towards authoritarianism and its leadership is showing signs of falling into China’s lap.
Maldives president says he’s willing to hold early election
The president of the Maldives has said that he was willing to hold an early presidential election to allow voters to decide who they want to lead the Indian Ocean archipelago, as political unrest continued to grow after a court ordered the release and retrial of political prisoners.
Speaking publicly for the first time since Thursday’s supreme court order to release politicians opposed to him, including exiled former President Mohammed Nasheed, President Yameen Abdul Gayoom said he was open to holding an election several months before his term ends next November.
MDP, largest political party in the Maldives, demands release of judges
The MDP strongly condemns the arrest of Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed and Justice Ali Hameed, following forced entry of MNDF into the premises of the Supreme Court and terrorising the Justices and staff of the Court. The MDP calls for their immediate release.
— MDP Secretariat (@MDPSecretariat) February 6, 2018
UK asks Yameen to end state of emergency in the Maldives
I call on President Yameen and the Government of #Maldives to peacefully end the state of emergency - Foreign Secretary @BorisJohnson.
— UK in Maldives 🇬🇧🇲🇻 (@UKinMaldives) February 6, 2018
Read the full statement here https://t.co/jEKOu3hJc8
Former foreign minister Abdulla Shahid tweets
President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom arrested and taken to police custody at 1:35am from his residence. Demand that he be released immediately. #Maldives #StateOfUtterRidiculousness #FreePresidentMaumoon #MaldivesInCrisis
— Abdulla Shahid (@abdulla_shahid) February 5, 2018
India calls for peace and stability in Maldives
India on Friday called for peace and stability in the Indian Ocean archipelago nation. “In the spirit of democracy and rule of law, it is imperative for all organs of the government of Maldives to respect and abide by the order of the apex court,” the External Affairs said in a statement.
It also called upon the Maldivian authorities to ensure the safety and security of the Indian expatriates in Maldives under all circumstances. “As a close and friendly neighbour, India wishes to see a stable, peaceful and prosperous Maldives,” the statement said.
Free press seems to be under threat in Maldives
We would like to inform all our beloved readers that we're receiving high level threats to our website continuously for the past few hours. As we try to defend against potential attempts to down the website. We condemn the attacks on independent Maldivian Media. #MaldivesInCrisis
— CNM (@cnm_mv) February 5, 2018
Five major personalities arrested in Maldives so far
10 hours since State of Emergency was declared, 5 people were arrested - ex-president @maumoonagayoom, his son-in-law @MNadhym, Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed, Justice Ali Hameed, judicial administrator Hassan Saeed.
— Maldives Independent (@IndependentMV) February 6, 2018
We're ending live-tweeting & will report developments.
More information around Maldivian state of emergency now coming out
According to the Maldivies Independent, the announcement of the state of Emergency was made by Azima Shukoor, Minister of Legal Affairs at the President’s office.
Maldives ex-president Abdul Gayoom arrested
Maldives police arrested Yameen’s estranged half-brother and former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who had sided with the main opposition and was campaigning against him, reported AFP.
The 80-year-old, who was president for 30 years until the country’s first democratic elections in 2008, was taken away from his home in the capital Male around midnight, according to a tweet from his daughter Yumna Maumoon.
Ex-president Abdul Gayoom tweeted just before he was taken away by Maldives police
A large number of @PoliceMv around my residence. To protect me or to arrest me? No idea. @USAmbKeshap @AkhileshIFS @MNDF_Official @hrcmv @amnesty
— Maumoon Abdul Gayoom (@maumoonagayoom) February 5, 2018
China asks its citizens not to travel to Maldives
China on Monday warned its citizens not to tavel to the Maldives for holidays due to the political turmoil there, in a setback to beleaguered President Abdulla Yameen whose country’s economy relies heavily on Chinese tourists.
“China is closely following the developments in the Maldives,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told media asking the Maldivian government and the political parties to resolve differences through dialogue while maintaining national stability and social order.
He, however, declined to join the calls by the United Nations, the US and India asking Yameen who is widely regarded as pro-China to implement the Supreme Court order.
“What happened in theMaldives is Maldives’ internal affair. China supports the relevant parties in the Maldives to properly resolve their differences through dialogue and consultation and maintain national stability and social order,” he said.
US National Security Council backs Maldives Opposition
America stands with the people of Maldives. The Maldivian government and military must respect the rule of law, freedom of expression, and democratic institutions. The world is watching.
— NSC 45 Archived (@WHNSC45) February 5, 2018
READ: MEA advisory to Indian nationals amid ongoing Maldives crisis
‘Troubled’ by Maldives crisis, US urges Yameen to respect rule of law
The US on Monday said it was “troubled” and “disappointed” by reports of declaration of state of emergency in Maldives and urged President Abdulla Yameen to comply with the rule of law and implement the Supreme Court ruling, reported PTI.
Maldives joint Opposition rejects state of Emergency
Joint parliamentary press release on #MaldivesInCrisis - The joint opposition parties do not accept the state of emergency as it is unconsitutional. The reason cited by the president does not fit any definition of a justifiable cause stated in the constitution. pic.twitter.com/ywYsEIK3BT
— Maldives Independent (@IndependentMV) February 5, 2018
The origin of the latest chaos in Maldives
The tiny tourist archipelago of Maldives has been plunged into chaos recently, with the president pitted against the Supreme Court after he refused to comply with its Thursday order to release nine political dissidents.
International press body condemns harassment of Maldivian media
“The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on Maldivian authorities to stop threatening and harassing news outlets and allow them to operate freely,” a CPJ statement said on Tuesday.
Maldives MP Eva Abdulla slams President for declaring emergency
Where’s the President?
— Eva Abdulla (@evattey) February 6, 2018
Declared a state of emergency via a proxy, arrested own brother,President @maumoonagayoom, arrested the Chief Justice and one Supreme Court Justice and the President himself is yet to be seen. #GattuRaees #MaldivesInCrisis #StateofEmergency #RulyByProxy
WATCH: Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed arrested by Maldives Police
Chief Justice of #Maldives Supreme Court Abdulla Saeed arrested as political crisis worsens in the island nation#MaldivesCrisis
— DD News (@DDNewslive) February 6, 2018
(video courtesy: @Raajje_tv) pic.twitter.com/3eqEm7JDh5
Maldives chief justice arrested, says police
Maldives Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed and another Supreme Court judge were arrested at dawn on Tuesday, hours after President Abdulla Yameen declared a state of emergency, AFP quoted police as saying.
There were complaints of corruption against justices Saeed and Ali Hameed, police said in a brief statement after security forces stormed the apex court complex in the capital Male.
MEA advises Indian nationals to avoid non-essential travel to Maldives
Indian nationals are advised to defer all non-essential travel to Male and other atolls untill further notice. Detailed travel advisory at https://t.co/DCdCkojESK
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) February 5, 2018
State of Emergency in Maldives
Maldives President Abdulla Yameen declared a 15-day state of emergency in the honeymoon islands, before heavily armed troops stormed the country’s top court and a former president was arrested in a deepening political crisis, reports AFP.
Nepal: Oli to continue until new PM is sworn in, nation on edge as all branches of govt torched
Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli remains caretaker PM amid chaos in Nepal. Protesters torched parliament, executive seat, Supreme Court, and presidential residence. President Paudel calls for dialogue as violence continues across the country.
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