State of emergency declared in Maldives after ‘coup’ court ruling

● Court ordered politicians’ release ● President has judges put in jail

The president of the Maldives has ordered a state of emergency to investigate a “coup” involving a Supreme Court ruling last week ordering the release of imprisoned opposition leaders.

Yameen Abdul Gayoom, who has rolled back a series of democratic reforms during his five years in office, has said the court overstepped its authority in ordering the politicians released, saying the order “blatantly disrupts the systems of checks and balances”. Many of those to be freed are his political rivals.

“This is not a state of war, epidemic or natural disaster,” he said. “This is something more dangerous. This is an obstruction of the very ability of the state to function.”

Mr Yameen’s government has moved to assert its power since the Supreme Court ruling. He announced a 15-day state of emergency on Monday night giving officials sweeping powers, including to make arrests, search and seize property, as well as restrict freedom of assembly. Hours after the emergency was declared, security forces arrested two Supreme Court justices and a former ruler who is now an opposition leader.

“This state of emergency is the only way I can determine how deep this plot, this coup, goes,” Mr Yameen said.

His main political rival called on India to send an envoy backed by its military to free the imprisoned justices and opposition leaders.

Exiled former President Mohammed Nasheed, who was among the opposition politicians ordered freed by the Supreme Court and is now in neighbouring Sri Lanka, said in a statement Mr Yameen “has illegally declared martial law and overrun the state. We must remove him from power”.

He called for the Indian envoy and military to be sent. “We are asking for a physical presence,” he said. Mr Nasheed also called on the US to stop Maldives government officials from making transactions through American banks.

There was no immediate response from India or the United States, though both have called on Mr Yameen to obey the Supreme Court order.

The spokesman for UN Secretary-general Antonio Guterres said he was seriously concerned about the declaration of a state of emergency and the entry of security forces into the Supreme Court premises. “The secretary-general urges the government of the Maldives to uphold the constitution and rule of law, lift the state of emergency as soon as possible and take all measures to ensure the safety and security of the people in the country, including members of the judiciary,” he said.

Mr Yameen has cracked down on civil liberties since coming to power in 2013, imprisoning or forcing into exile nearly every politician who opposes him.

Hours after the emergency was declared, security forces in riot gear and blue camouflage stormed the Supreme Court building. Two judges were arrested, including Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed.

It was not immediately clear what charges they faced, if any. The whereabouts of the court’s other two judges was not clear yesterday.

Former dictator and opposition politician Maumoon Abdul Gayoom was seen on cellphone video taken by his daughter being quietly escorted from his home by security forces, hugging friends and family and waving to supporters before being driven away.

Shortly before his arrest he sent a message on Twitter saying a large deployment of police had surrounded his house.

“This is not a state of war, epidemic or natural disaster. This is something more dangerous. This is an obstruction of the very ability of the state to function”

YAMEEN ABDUL GAYOOM