Maldives crisis: Police arrests chief justice on corruption charges; Opposition terms Emergency 'unconstitutional'

The political crisis in Maldives took a major turn late on Monday when the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Maldives Abdulla Saeed and other apex court judges were arrested by the police over charges of corruption. “There were complaints of corruption against Justices Saeed and Ali Hameed,” the Maldivian Police said in a brief statement after security forces stormed the apex court complex in the capital Male. However, Opposition parties, led by the Maldivian Democratic Party, condemned the arrests and called for their immediate release.

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

The unprecedented incident took place just hours after President Abdulla Yameen had declared a State of Emergency after refusing to comply with the Supreme Court’s Thursday order to release political dissidents. “The reason for the declaration is that the Supreme Court’s ruling was obstructing the functioning of the government,” presidential aide Azima Shukoor said on national television. The declaration gives sweeping powers to security forces to arrest and detain individuals, curtails the powers of the judiciary and bars parliament from impeaching Yameen. But it must be officially conveyed to parliament within two days, according to officials. [caption id=“attachment_4337761” align=“alignleft” width=“379”] File image of Maldivian president Abdulla Yameen. AFP[/caption] As part of the crackdown, police arrested Yameen’s estranged half-brother and former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who had sided with the main Opposition. The 80-year-old — president for 30 years until the country’s first democratic elections in 2008 — was taken from his home in the capital Male at around midnight on Monday, according to a tweet from his daughter Yumna Maumoon. Just before he was taken away by the police, Gayoom tweeted:

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

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The united Opposition led by the Maldivian Democratic Party called the imposition of the Emergency as “unconstitutional.”

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

In its 2 February order, the Supreme Court said the “questionable and politically motivated nature of the trials of the political leaders warrant a retrial”. The court ordered authorities to “immediately free the jailed leaders until a court of law sentences otherwise”. The favourable verdict was seen as clearing the way for exiled former leader Mohamed Nasheed to run for president. Nasheed, who is living in self-imposed exile, was sentenced to 13 years in jail on a terror charge widely criticised as politically-motivated. International community calls for restoration of democracy The US, UK and Canada were at the forefront of condemning the State of Emergency in the Maldives and urged Yameen to end it in a peaceful manner. 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. “The US calls on Yameen, the army, and police to comply with the rule of law, implement the Supreme Court ruling and the rulings of the criminal court, ensure the full and proper functioning of the Parliament, and restore constitutionally-guaranteed rights of the people and institutions of the Maldives,” the statement said. The US National Security Council backed the Maldivian opposition and warned the Yameen administration from destroying democratic institutions.

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

I call on President Yameen and the Government of #Maldives to peacefully end the state of emergency - Foreign Secretary @BorisJohnson.
Read the full statement here https://t.co/jEKOu3hJc8

— UK in Maldives 🇬🇧🇲🇻 (@UKinMaldives) February 6, 2018

Canada is closely watching the situation in #Maldives with concern. We call for respect for judicial independence, democratic institutions and #FreeSpeech & assembly. Canada urges all sides to engage in inclusive dialogue and exercise restraint

— Foreign Policy CAN (@CanadaFP) February 5, 2018

India and China issue advisories Meanwhile, India and China, while showing concern over the situation in Maldives, issued travel advisories to their citizens. “The prevailing political developments in Maldives and the resultant law and order situation is a matter of concern for the government of India,” the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement. “Indian nationals are, therefore, advised to defer all non-essential travels to Male and other atolls until further notice. Indian expatriates in Maldives are also alerted to the need for heightened security awareness, and urged to exercise due caution in public and avoid public gatherings.” China warned its citizens not to travel to the Maldives for holidays due to the political turmoil. “China is closely following the developments in the Maldives,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang told the media, asking the Maldivian government and the political parties to resolve differences through dialogue while maintaining national stability and social order. China’s travel advisory coming ahead of the Chinese New Year holiday season starting from 15 February is likely to deter thousands of Chinese who travel to the Maldives during the week-long holiday. Ever since the verdict was delivered, opponents of the government have been clashing with police on the streets of the capital, demanding the release of imprisoned politicians. As hundreds of people celebrated in Male on Thursday, the police dispersed the crowds using pepper spray and batons. Rocks were thrown at police and at least one injured officer was seen being carried to a hospital. With inputs from agencies