Maldives chief justice arrested

Male, Feb. 6: The Maldives’ top judge was arrested on Tuesday as security forces stormed the Supreme Court at dawn, in a deepening confrontation with President Abdulla Yameen who has declared a state of emergency in the troubled honeymoon islands.

The detention of Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed and another Supreme Court judge raised the stakes in a dramatic clash after Yameen refused to comply with an order to release political dissidents.

Meanwhile, the exiled former president of the Maldives urged India on Tuesday to send an envoy backed by military to release political prisoners. Best known as an “Alist” holiday destination, the Maldives plunged into crisis after the Supreme Court quashed terrorism

Nasheed urged the United States to block financial transactions of Yameen’s government.

convictions against nine leading opposition figures including the country’s exiled, first democratically elected president, Mohamed Nasheed.

“On behalf of Maldivian people we humbly request: India to send envoy, backed by its military, to release judges & pol. detainees... We request a physical presence,” Nasheed, who is currently in Colombo, tweeted.

He also urged the United States to block financial transactions of Yameen’s government.