Maldives SC revokes order to free nine top political leaders

The Maldives’ highest court on Tuesday revoked an order to release nine highprofile political prisoners a day after President Abdulla Yameen declared a state of emergency and arrested two top judges.

The remaining three judges of the Supreme Court said in a statement they were rescinding the order to release the prisoners “in light of the concerns raised by the President”.

Earlier in day, India said that it would follow a standard operating procedure (SOP) that includes keeping the troops in readiness.

India, which said it was “disturbed” over the situation in the archipelago nation, has already issued a travel advisory as part of the SOP but officials would not confirm one of its crucial aspects pertaining to keeping troops on standby.

Sources said troop movement has been seen at a key airbase in southern India.

According to the SOP, the troops are kept ready to meet any eventuality, crisis or requirement for help, sources said, adding there is nothing unusual about such SOPS.

Significantly, exiled former Maldivian president Mohamed Nasheed on Tuesday sought India’s diplomatic and military intervention to resolve the crisis in the country after President Abdulla Yameen declared a state of emergency.

Exiled former president Mohamed Nasheed on Tuesday sought India's military intervention in Maldives to resolve the ongoing political crisis amid a faceoff between the judiciary and embattled President Abdulla Yameen, who has declared an emergency and arrested the top judge. Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed and another judge, Ali Hameed, were arrested hours after President Yameen declared a state of emergency on Monday. No details were given about the investigation or any charges against them. Former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who has allied himself with the Opposition, was also detained at his home. In a televised address to the nation on Tuesday, President Yameen accused judges of plotting to overthrow him. "I had to declare a national emergency because there was no other way to investigate these judges," Yameen said. "We had to find out how thick the plot or coup was," he said, adding that the chief justice was trying to illegally impeach him and sack the attorney general. Concerned over political turmoil in Maldives, India, which is monitoring the situation very "closely", on Tuesday said it was "disturbed" on the declaration of the emergency by the Maldivian government and described as a matter of "concern".