President Abdulla Yameen on 7 and 8 February sent special envoys to three 'friendly nations' – China, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
Former president Nasheed has asked for India to step in and help. Chinese state-run daily Global Times warned India against intervention on 7 February. The UN and US have both called on Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen to restore Constitutional rights and declare an immediate end to the state of emergency.
Three Maldives Supreme Court justices on Tuesday, 6 February, annulled their own order to free a group of imprisoned Opposition politicians after two of the court's justices were arrested amid a political crisis in the Indian Ocean archipelago.
The new ruling came as President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom moved to assert his power over the court, declaring a state of emergency and ordering security forces to raid the court compound where the justices were arrested.
The President had defied an earlier ruling of the Supreme Court which revoked terrorism charges against nine leading opposition figures including the country's first democratically elected president, Mohamed Nasheed and ordered them to be freed.
- Maldivian President Yameen sends special envoys to ‘friendly nations’ China, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia
- Maldives Supreme Court revokes earlier order to release nine high-profile political prisoners
- Former President Mohamed Nasheed asks India to send an envoy to end the political crisis
- Police arrest former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom on charges of bribery and attempting to overthrow the government
- President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom moved to assert his power over the top court, declaring a state of emergency and ordering security forces to raid the court compound where two SC justices were arrested
Indian Embassy Will Get in Touch With Local Authorities
In response to a query about media reports on the arrest of an Indian national in Maldives, the Official Spokesperson of MEA, Raveesh Kumar said: "We have received information about an Indian national, Shri Money Sharma, working as a journalist, who has been detained by the Maldivian authorities. We have asked our Embassy to get in touch with the local authorities to ascertain more details of the case."
“We note that China said Maldives Govt has ability to protect security of Chinese personnel & institutions there. Hope all nations play constructive role in Maldives, instead of the opposite,” the MEA said on reports of Maldives seeking support from China for Chinese investments' security.
Two AFP Reporters Arrested in Maldives
Two reporters of Indian origin, Atish Patel and Money Sharma, employed with AFP news agency, were arrested in Maldives earlier in the day.
According to Maldives police, the reporters have been handed over to Maldives Immigration to take action against them for working in Maldives against Maldives Immigration Act and Regulations.
The reporters are likely to face deportation.
Ali Zahir, an MP from Maldives said, “We don’t have freedom of press anymore. Last night one of the leading TV stations was closed. We call for their immediate release and restoration of democracy and rule of law.”
China Says International Community Should Play Constructive Role
The international community should play a constructive role in promoting stability in the Maldives, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told a visiting envoy from the troubled Indian Ocean island state, China's Foreign Ministry said on Friday.
China supports the Maldives government to resolve disputes with all sides through dialogue, Wang told economic development minister Mohamed Saeed during a meeting in Beijing on Thursday, the ministry said in a short statement.
Raajje TV Protest Attack on Free Media, Suspends Broadcast
RaajjeTV suspended its broadcast after law enforcement refused to adequately address credible threats, and due to the utter lack of an environment conducive to unbiased and independent journalism.
