Maldives Parliament approves extension of emergency by 30 days
Maldives
The opposition, which boycotted the sitting, said the approval was illegal as it was against the constitution
The Maldives'parliament on Tuesday approved the extension of the state of emergency by 30 days, a day after President Abdulla Yameen sought it saying a threat to national security had not diminished and a constitutional crisis had not been resolved.
The opposition, which boycotted the sitting, said the approval was illegal as it was against the constitution.
Earlier today, the Indian foreign ministry hoped that the Maldivian government will not seek the extension of the state of emergency.
MEA's official release was tweeted by the ministry's official spokesperson Ravish Kumar.
The release noted that the "democratic institutions" of the Maldives, including the judiciary, "should be allowed to function independently and in a fair and transparent manner in accordance with the Constitution".
The SAARC parliamentary body has also appealed in the favour of the restoration of democracy in the island country.
The Maldives was put under a state of emergency by President Yameen after he quashed the Supreme Court's order to releasenine prisoners noting that there were several obstacles to enforcing the apex court's ruling which the government was not able to communicate with the court.
Former President of Maldives Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed, Supreme Court Justice Ali Hameed and Judicial administrator Hassan Saeed were arrested on Yameen's directive. ordered security forces to seize control of the court and arrest the chief justice among others.