Security forces storm Maldives Supreme Court: Reports

Beleaguered Maldives President Abdulla Yameen declared a state of emergency for 15 days in theisland nation Monday evening.The announcement was made on state television by his aide Azima Shukoor.

The announcement came after the country's Supreme Court ordered the government to release key political prisoners and reinstate 12 MPs, something Yameen has refused to do so far.

All basic rights have been suspended, MP Eva Abdulla said.

She added that the declaration of emergency gives the security forces sweeping powers to detain and arrest suspects.

Reports said security forces had stormed the Supreme Court:

Husnu Al Suood is a former attorney general of the Maldives.

And that security forces had arrested former PresidentMaumoon Abdul Gayoom:

Mohamed Nasheed is a former president of the Maldives.

News of Gayoom's arrest was also tweeted by his daughter Yumna Maumoon:

Government spokesperson Ibrahim Shihab told WION that while a state of emergency had been imposed, there was no curfew.

He added that the government had not wanted to escalate the growing protests in the country -- which had broken out after the government had refused to comply with the Supreme Court's orders -- which is why the emergency had been imposed.

India's ministry of external affairs meanwhile said "Indian expatriates in theMaldives are alerted to the need for heightened security awareness, and urged to exercise due caution in public and avoid public gatherings."

It added that "prevailing political developments in Maldives and resultant law and order situation is a matter of concern for the Government of India. Indian nationals are advised to defer all non-essential travels to Male and other atolls until further notice."

The US said that it "stands with the people of Maldives." And that the "Maldivian government and military must respect the rule of law, freedom of expression, and democratic institutions.

"The world is watching," it added.