Maldives: Top justices arrested, President Yameen accuses judges of plotting to overthrow him

Maldives' President Abdulla Yameen has called the Supreme Court's order unconstitutional. Yameen quashed the Supreme Court's directive to release nine 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.

In an official statement, Yameen also noted that the justices cannot be held accountable.

He shared that although the law is of the paramount significance, no one should be beyond the reach of having themselves subject to investigation.

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Yameen also shared that the Supreme Court should not be subject to pressure from other state powers.

Yameen noted that the Supreme Court has been intervening on matters that have conventionally been and legally are the mandate of the government.

An investigation into corruption allegations involving Judicial Administrator Hassan Saeed was seized by the Supreme Court, noted Yameen. The Supreme Court had also deliberated on keeping Yameen's Attorney General and Police Commissioner in office, positions that the president appoints.

Yameen noted that everyone must be held accountable for their actions and if the majority of the Parliament wishes for his impeachment, he would stand by it.

"If a Supreme Court ruling erodes the democratic principle of separating powers, then the government and the president has an obligation to address it", Yameen shared in an official statement.

The ongoing tussle between the country's apex court and the president may trigger a constitutional crisis in the country. Yameen's control over the nation is also been undermined.

The Supreme Court on Thursday called for an immediate release of former president Mohamed Nasheed along with eight other opposition leaders. The court also demanded their fresh trials noting the previous proceedings to have violated the constitution and international law.

The former president and other eight leaders face charges ranging from terrorism to treason and corruption.

Meanwhile, President Abdulla Yameen has declared a state of emergency in the country.

"The President has been compelled to declare a state of emergency due to the risk currently posed to national security," the statement issued on Monday said.

Top justice and former president arrested

According to reports, Former President of Maldives Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed, Supreme Court Justice Ali Hameed and Judicial administrator Hassan Saeed have been arrested. President Abdulla Yameen ordered security forces to seize control of the court and arrest the chief justice among others.

The president of the Maldives also accused judges of plotting to overthrow him, hours after he declared a state of emergency and ordered the arrest of the chief justice.

"I had to declare a national emergency because there was no other way to investigate these judges," President Abdulla Yameen said in a televised address to the nation. "We had to find out how thick the plot or coup was."

The exiled leader of the Maldives opposition Mohamed Nasheed has called out to the US and India to help remove the president from office, saying he had "illegally" declared martial law.

"President (Abdulla) Yameen has illegally declared martial law and overrun the state. We must remove him from power. The people of the Maldives have a legitimate request to world governments, especially to India and the United States," Nasheed said in a statement released by his party in the Maldivian capital Male.

"On behalf of Maldivian people, we humbly request: India to send an envoy, backed by its military, to release judges & pol. detainees... We request a physical presence," Nasheed, who is currently in Colombo, said in a Twitter post.

He also urged the United States to block financial transactions of Yameen`s government.

World reacts

India, the United States and Britain have urged Yameen to honour the rule of law and free the detainees.

The United States has expressed its support to the people of the Maldives and said the government must respect the law and democratic values."America stands with the people of Maldives. The Maldivian government and military must respect the rule of law, freedom of expression, and democratic institutions. The world is watching," the U.S. National Security Council tweeted.

China has expressed hope that the Maldivian government will be able to resolve the political crisis internally through dialogue with the opposition.

"Any Indian involvement would risk raising tensions further in the archipelago of 400,000 people and intensify the rivalry with China.
Aside from the intervention in 1988, India has generally tried to avoid meddling in the Maldives` internal affairs, although it has continued to provide military and economic assistance," states a Reuters report.