Former Maldives president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom said Tuesday he has tested positive for coronavirus as the island nation battles an increase in new cases.

Gayoom, who held power for three decades, was checked after he developed a fever, a former aide close to the family told AFP. No word was available on his condition.

"I have tested positive for Covid-19," the 82-year-old politician wrote on Twitter. "May Almighty Allah bless me and all other sick people with a speedy recovery and good health!"

After leaving office in 2008 Gayoom has remained an active political figure. Opponents have accused him of being an autocratic leader during his three decades in power.

However, he is also credited with being an early campaigner against global warming and sea level rise which he had warned could wipe the low-lying Maldives off the face of the earth.

The Maldives, known for upmarket island tourism, reopened its international borders to visitors in mid-July after a three-month halt that crippled the hospitality industry.

It has seen a steady increase in cases in recent weeks and has reported a total of 7,047 infections and 28 deaths since the virus began to spread globally earlier this year.

Former Maldives president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom said Tuesday he has tested positive for coronavirus as the island nation battles an increase in new cases. Gayoom, who held power for three decades, was checked after he developed a fever, a former aide close to the family told AFP.

Former Maldives president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom said Tuesday he has tested positive for coronavirus as the island nation battles an increase in new cases. Gayoom, who held power for three decades, was checked after he developed a fever, a former aide close to the family told AFP. No word was available on his condition. "I have tested positive for Covid-19," the 82-year-old politician wrote on Twitter. "May Almighty Allah bless me and all other sick people with a speedy recovery and good health!" After leaving office in 2008 Gayoom has remained an active political figure. Opponents have accused him of being an autocratic leader during his three decades in power. However, he is also credited with being an early campaigner against global warming and sea level rise which he had warned could wipe the low-lying Maldives off the face of the earth. The Maldives, known for upmarket island tourism, reopened its international borders to visitors in mid-July after a three-month halt that crippled the hospitality industry. It has seen a steady increase in cases in recent weeks and has reported a total of 7,047 infections and 28 deaths since the virus began to spread globally earlier this year.

Maldives ex-President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom tests positive for coronavirus

Maldives former-president Abdulla Yameen is a ruthless political operator who has cracked down on threats to his rule, say diplomats and former colleagues - including jailing his own half-brother in an on-off feud dating from childhood.

The Maldives is a luxury holiday destination and a key nation in India and China's battle for regional influence.

Yameen took power in 2013, he lost a second five-year term in an election criticised for a lack of freedom.

He has jailed critics, reined in the media, and purged dissenting voices from institutions such as the Supreme Court after a political crisis in February.

EARLY BEGINNINGS

Born in 1959, Yameen started work as a clerk in the finance department in 1978, the same year his half-brother Maumoon Abdul Gayoom took power, ruling until 2008.

In the early days, Yameen commuted to work on a bicycle - then a perk on an isolated archipelago with few cars.

He went on to work at the Maldives Monetary Authority and the ministry of trade, where he became minister under Gayoom in 1993.

But a series of cables written in between 2003 and 2008 by the US Embassy in Sri Lanka spoke of rifts between the two men, exacerbated by Yameen's own political ambitions.

The cables also said Gayoom was committed to introducing democratic reforms but was being held back by "hardliners" like Yameen, "who realize they would lose everything if Gayoom lost power and thus were fighting the reform process tooth and nail".

Former foreign minister Ahmed Naseem, who worked with Yameen during the 1980s in the trade ministry, told Reuters the former president never had a good relationship with Gayoom, right from childhood.

Gayoom's family came from Malé, the capital, while Yameen's mother came from a poorer outlying island, a source who knew the brothers said.

"The two families never got along: they were never treated equally and that dragged in to the next generation as well," the source said.

Gayoom relinquished power in 2008 to Mohamed Nasheed, a British-educated opposition politician who famously held a cabinet meeting underwater to protest against rising sea levels.

Yameen became president in 2013 in a rerun election initially won by Nasheed, before the Supreme Court annulled the result.

Nasheed was sentenced to jail in 2015 for terror offences.

Gayoom, 80, who played a vital role in securing the 2013 election for Yameen, joined the opposition against his half-sibling in 2017. In June he too was jailed, for an alleged plot to topple Yameen.

COMBATIVE STYLE

Yameen, as president, was driven around the country in a Mercedes-Benz, with an entourage of soldiers from the Maldives National Defence Force in combat gear.

He stepped up his security after an unexplained explosion on his yacht in 2015 wounded his wife and a bodyguard.

Yameen pulled the Maldives out of the Commonwealth in 2016 after international criticism, and drew closer to China, to the alarm of traditional ally India, in a Beijing-backed infrastructure boom meant to stimulate the economy.

In 2016 he swapped his private residence for a larger plot of land located near the construction site of the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge.

Known for referring to himself as "President Yameen" in speeches, he often adopts a confrontational style, demanding votes from supporters.&nbsp;

"I sometimes think our young children are more intelligent than Maldivian adults," he said. "If there is a children's vote, President Yameen will win by a (margin of) 100 out of 100."

Maldives former-president Abdulla Yameen is a ruthless political operator who has cracked down on threats to his rule, say diplomats and former colleagues - including jailing his own half-brother in an on-off feud dating from childhood.

Maldives former-president Abdulla Yameen is a ruthless political operator who has cracked down on threats to his rule, say diplomats and former colleagues - including jailing his own half-brother in an on-off feud dating from childhood. The Maldives is a luxury holiday destination and a key nation in India and China's battle for regional influence. Yameen took power in 2013, he lost a second five-year term in an election criticised for a lack of freedom. He has jailed critics, reined in the media, and purged dissenting voices from institutions such as the Supreme Court after a political crisis in February. EARLY BEGINNINGS Born in 1959, Yameen started work as a clerk in the finance department in 1978, the same year his half-brother Maumoon Abdul Gayoom took power, ruling until 2008. In the early days, Yameen commuted to work on a bicycle - then a perk on an isolated archipelago with few cars. He went on to work at the Maldives Monetary Authority and the ministry of trade, where he became minister under Gayoom in 1993. But a series of cables written in between 2003 and 2008 by the US Embassy in Sri Lanka spoke of rifts between the two men, exacerbated by Yameen's own political ambitions. The cables also said Gayoom was committed to introducing democratic reforms but was being held back by "hardliners" like Yameen, "who realize they would lose everything if Gayoom lost power and thus were fighting the reform process tooth and nail". Former foreign minister Ahmed Naseem, who worked with Yameen during the 1980s in the trade ministry, told Reuters the former president never had a good relationship with Gayoom, right from childhood. Gayoom's family came from Malé, the capital, while Yameen's mother came from a poorer outlying island, a source who knew the brothers said. "The two families never got along: they were never treated equally and that dragged in to the next generation as well," the source said. Gayoom relinquished power in 2008 to Mohamed Nasheed, a British-educated opposition politician who famously held a cabinet meeting underwater to protest against rising sea levels. Yameen became president in 2013 in a rerun election initially won by Nasheed, before the Supreme Court annulled the result. Nasheed was sentenced to jail in 2015 for terror offences. Gayoom, 80, who played a vital role in securing the 2013 election for Yameen, joined the opposition against his half-sibling in 2017. In June he too was jailed, for an alleged plot to topple Yameen. COMBATIVE STYLE Yameen, as president, was driven around the country in a Mercedes-Benz, with an entourage of soldiers from the Maldives National Defence Force in combat gear. He stepped up his security after an unexplained explosion on his yacht in 2015 wounded his wife and a bodyguard. Yameen pulled the Maldives out of the Commonwealth in 2016 after international criticism, and drew closer to China, to the alarm of traditional ally India, in a Beijing-backed infrastructure boom meant to stimulate the economy. In 2016 he swapped his private residence for a larger plot of land located near the construction site of the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge. Known for referring to himself as "President Yameen" in speeches, he often adopts a confrontational style, demanding votes from supporters. "I sometimes think our young children are more intelligent than Maldivian adults," he said. "If there is a children's vote, President Yameen will win by a (margin of) 100 out of 100."

Maldives former president Yameen: A hardliner who jailed his own half-brother

India played a "positive" role in the restoration of democracy in the Maldives by "exerting pressure" on the ruling regime, and the new government in the island nation would be "sensitive" towards New Delhi's "concerns", former Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom said Sunday.

Nearly a month after he was released from jail, Gayoom, who ruled the Maldives for three decades until 2008, said the government of President Abdulla Yameen inflicted "huge damage" on the Maldives but democratic forces have prevailed over their "enemies".

Joint opposition leader Ibrahim Mohamed Solih came out victorious in the September 23 presidential election, handing a shock defeat to incumbent Yameen and capping months of political upheaval in the tourist paradise. The political turmoil was triggered by the imposition of emergency in February and jailing of several of opposition leaders including Gayoom, a half-brother of Yameen.

Yameen had challenged the outcome of the elections, alleging the vote was rigged but the country's Supreme Court upheld the results. The transition of power is due on Nov 17.

"The last few years did erode the credibility of Maldivian constitutional bodies as well as the confidence of the Maldivian people in the state," 80-year-old Gayoom told PTI in an exclusive interview.

"However, the people have themselves taken remedial action as the election results have shown. There was huge damage done, but the constitution, the constitutional bodies and the citizen rights given by the constitution will be safe and strong under the new coalition government," he added.

Gayoom had ruled the Maldives for 30 years till he was defeated in the country's first multi-party elections in 2008. He was arrested in February as part of a crackdown on Yameen's political opponents.

Asked whether Yameen drew his strength from strong backing by China, Gayoom, credited with forging strong ties with India, hoped that China would respect the will of the Maldivian people.

"We value the support China has given for our development. However, we are concerned at the level of debt we have incurred in recent years, and feel this needs to be carefully reviewed and managed. I am sure that China would respect the will of the Maldivian people," he said in the e-mail interview.

Asked about India's role after imposition of emergency by Yameen in February, Gayoom said, "India did play a positive role, and along with other international partners, did exert pressure towards the restoration of democracy."

"Keeping the Maldivian issue alive in international fora did result in putting pressure on the Yameen regime," the former Maldivian strongman, who was released from jail on September 30 following orders of a court, said.

India's ties with the Maldives came under strain after Yameen declared Emergency in the country on February 5, following an order by the country's Supreme Court to release a group of Opposition leaders, who had been convicted in widely criticised trials. The Emergency was lifted 45 days later.

"I do not see the events of the last few years having a lasting impact (on bilateral ties)...I do not think these bumps and turbulence would impact decades of (our) India first policy," he said.

Describing India as the "closest and most trusted ally" of Maldives, he said it was in the interests of all of the Maldives' geographical neighbours that there is stability in the Indian Ocean region.

"I am confident that the new government will work towards achieving this. We will be sensitive towards the concerns of India as well as of other friends," he said, adding the Maldives was looking forward to welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Maldives "very soon".

During the crisis, India had ignored calls for military intervention from the opposition parties in the island nation.

The influence of China on the Maldives, an island nation in the Indian Ocean, considered a backyard of India, has been growing and it is seen as a concern in New Delhi.

Talking about the post-election scenario, Gayoom said the first priority of the new government would be to unify the people of Maldives after the era of bitter politics

"Maldivians saw through attempts to muzzle democratic voice and defeated the forces who tried to undermine democracy and rule of law in the country," he said.

Asked about the transition of power, Gayoom said the Maldivian Supreme Court has clearly stated that there were no grounds for Yameen to question the results of the presidential elections.

"The road is now clear for a smooth transition. The coalition government is committed to peace, stability, progress and democracy," he said.

He also talked about his efforts to bring multi-party democracy to the Maldives in 2008 in sync with the aspirations of the people, adding the constitution had all the checks and balance that are required to safeguard democracy.

"It is indeed sad that these very checks and balance were abused to derail democracy to protect the vested interests of a few," he said.

"It is my hope that we learn from past mistakes and move beyond the blame game, and work together for the good of our citizens and country," he added.&nbsp;

India played a "positive" role in the restoration of democracy in the Maldives by "exerting pressure" on the ruling regime, and the new government in the island nation would be "sensitive" towards New Delhi's "concerns", former Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom said Sunday.

India played a "positive" role in the restoration of democracy in the Maldives by "exerting pressure" on the ruling regime, and the new government in the island nation would be "sensitive" towards New Delhi's "concerns", former Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom said Sunday. Nearly a month after he was released from jail, Gayoom, who ruled the Maldives for three decades until 2008, said the government of President Abdulla Yameen inflicted "huge damage" on the Maldives but democratic forces have prevailed over their "enemies". Joint opposition leader Ibrahim Mohamed Solih came out victorious in the September 23 presidential election, handing a shock defeat to incumbent Yameen and capping months of political upheaval in the tourist paradise. The political turmoil was triggered by the imposition of emergency in February and jailing of several of opposition leaders including Gayoom, a half-brother of Yameen. Yameen had challenged the outcome of the elections, alleging the vote was rigged but the country's Supreme Court upheld the results. The transition of power is due on Nov 17. "The last few years did erode the credibility of Maldivian constitutional bodies as well as the confidence of the Maldivian people in the state," 80-year-old Gayoom told PTI in an exclusive interview. "However, the people have themselves taken remedial action as the election results have shown. There was huge damage done, but the constitution, the constitutional bodies and the citizen rights given by the constitution will be safe and strong under the new coalition government," he added. Gayoom had ruled the Maldives for 30 years till he was defeated in the country's first multi-party elections in 2008. He was arrested in February as part of a crackdown on Yameen's political opponents. Asked whether Yameen drew his strength from strong backing by China, Gayoom, credited with forging strong ties with India, hoped that China would respect the will of the Maldivian people. "We value the support China has given for our development. However, we are concerned at the level of debt we have incurred in recent years, and feel this needs to be carefully reviewed and managed. I am sure that China would respect the will of the Maldivian people," he said in the e-mail interview. Asked about India's role after imposition of emergency by Yameen in February, Gayoom said, "India did play a positive role, and along with other international partners, did exert pressure towards the restoration of democracy." "Keeping the Maldivian issue alive in international fora did result in putting pressure on the Yameen regime," the former Maldivian strongman, who was released from jail on September 30 following orders of a court, said. India's ties with the Maldives came under strain after Yameen declared Emergency in the country on February 5, following an order by the country's Supreme Court to release a group of Opposition leaders, who had been convicted in widely criticised trials. The Emergency was lifted 45 days later. "I do not see the events of the last few years having a lasting impact (on bilateral ties)...I do not think these bumps and turbulence would impact decades of (our) India first policy," he said. Describing India as the "closest and most trusted ally" of Maldives, he said it was in the interests of all of the Maldives' geographical neighbours that there is stability in the Indian Ocean region. "I am confident that the new government will work towards achieving this. We will be sensitive towards the concerns of India as well as of other friends," he said, adding the Maldives was looking forward to welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Maldives "very soon". During the crisis, India had ignored calls for military intervention from the opposition parties in the island nation. The influence of China on the Maldives, an island nation in the Indian Ocean, considered a backyard of India, has been growing and it is seen as a concern in New Delhi. Talking about the post-election scenario, Gayoom said the first priority of the new government would be to unify the people of Maldives after the era of bitter politics "Maldivians saw through attempts to muzzle democratic voice and defeated the forces who tried to undermine democracy and rule of law in the country," he said. Asked about the transition of power, Gayoom said the Maldivian Supreme Court has clearly stated that there were no grounds for Yameen to question the results of the presidential elections. "The road is now clear for a smooth transition. The coalition government is committed to peace, stability, progress and democracy," he said. He also talked about his efforts to bring multi-party democracy to the Maldives in 2008 in sync with the aspirations of the people, adding the constitution had all the checks and balance that are required to safeguard democracy. "It is indeed sad that these very checks and balance were abused to derail democracy to protect the vested interests of a few," he said. "It is my hope that we learn from past mistakes and move beyond the blame game, and work together for the good of our citizens and country," he added.

India helped in restoration of democracy in Maldives: Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom

A Maldivian court overturned the 19-month jail term of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom on Thursday, a month after the former president's estranged half-brother and jailer suffered a shock election drubbing.

Gayoom, 80, ruled the largely Muslim island nation for 30 straight years until he was defeated at the country's first multi-party elections in 2008.&nbsp;

He was arrested in February and accused of participating in an alleged coup during a crackdown on rivals of strongman President Abdulla Yameen, in charges his family and observers said were politically-motivated.

Gayoom was granted bail at the end of September, a week after Yameen lost national elections that had been skewed heavily in his favour.

On Thursday a court in the capital Male quashed Gayoom's conviction for obstruction of justice -- a charge that arose when he refuse to hand over his mobile phone to police.

Gayoom is one of many political opponents and dissidents who were jailed or forced into exile during Yameen's strongman rule.&nbsp;

Mohamed Nasheed, the country's first democratically-elected president, was convicted on a terrorism charge and sentenced to 13 years in prison in 2015 after a trial characterised by Amnesty International as a "travesty of justice".&nbsp;

He obtained prison leave in 2016 to travel to London for medical treatment and has remained abroad since.

Former foes Nasheed and Gayoom teamed up before the election to back Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, a political neophyte who defeated Yameen in a landslide victory.

Yameen appeared on national television Wednesday to once again concede defeat in the last month's polls, despite mounting a court challenge to annul the results.&nbsp;

The Supreme Court is yet to deliver a verdict in the case, which hinges on Yameen's allegation that the election commission used invisible ink to understate his support on ballot papers.

He is due to step down on November 17.

A Maldivian court overturned the 19-month jail term of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom on Thursday, a month after the former president's estranged half-brother and jailer suffered a shock election drubbing.

A Maldivian court overturned the 19-month jail term of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom on Thursday, a month after the former president's estranged half-brother and jailer suffered a shock election drubbing. Gayoom, 80, ruled the largely Muslim island nation for 30 straight years until he was defeated at the country's first multi-party elections in 2008. He was arrested in February and accused of participating in an alleged coup during a crackdown on rivals of strongman President Abdulla Yameen, in charges his family and observers said were politically-motivated. Gayoom was granted bail at the end of September, a week after Yameen lost national elections that had been skewed heavily in his favour. On Thursday a court in the capital Male quashed Gayoom's conviction for obstruction of justice -- a charge that arose when he refuse to hand over his mobile phone to police. Gayoom is one of many political opponents and dissidents who were jailed or forced into exile during Yameen's strongman rule. Mohamed Nasheed, the country's first democratically-elected president, was convicted on a terrorism charge and sentenced to 13 years in prison in 2015 after a trial characterised by Amnesty International as a "travesty of justice". He obtained prison leave in 2016 to travel to London for medical treatment and has remained abroad since. Former foes Nasheed and Gayoom teamed up before the election to back Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, a political neophyte who defeated Yameen in a landslide victory. Yameen appeared on national television Wednesday to once again concede defeat in the last month's polls, despite mounting a court challenge to annul the results. The Supreme Court is yet to deliver a verdict in the case, which hinges on Yameen's allegation that the election commission used invisible ink to understate his support on ballot papers. He is due to step down on November 17.

Maldives court frees ex-leader Maumoon Abdul Gayoom

A Maldivian court Sunday granted bail to jailed former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, the country's longest-serving leader, a week after his estranged half-brother was defeated at a presidential election.

Gayoom, 80, and his legislator son Faris Maumoon were released by the High Court in Male after they mounted fresh appeals against their controversial convictions.

The release followed appeals from President-elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih who urged incumbent Abdulla Yameen to free all political prisoners in the tourist paradise atoll nation after his stunning victory at the September 23 election.

Gayoom had ruled the nation of 340,000 Sunni Muslims for 30 straight years till he was defeated at the country's first multi-party elections in 2008.

He helped his half-brother Yameen win a controversial run-off election in 2013, but they later fell out and became bitter foes.

Gayoom was arrested in February along with the country's Chief Justice and another Supreme Court justice on a charge of attempting to topple Yameen. He declared a 45-day state of emergency to block impeachment.

The country's elder leader was serving a 19-month jail term for obstruction of justice and was also under trial on a "terrorism" charge.

Another Maldivian dissident, Qasim Ibrahim, was also granted bail. Soon after his defeat, Yameen freed five other political prisoners but was delaying the release of his half-brother who could have made a claim to the leadership of his PPM party.

Yameen had jailed or exiled most of his rivals during a turbulent five-year term that will come to an end on November 17 when Solih will be sworn in.

A Maldivian court Sunday granted bail to jailed former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, the country's longest-serving leader, a week after his estranged half-brother was defeated at a presidential election.

A Maldivian court Sunday granted bail to jailed former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, the country's longest-serving leader, a week after his estranged half-brother was defeated at a presidential election. Gayoom, 80, and his legislator son Faris Maumoon were released by the High Court in Male after they mounted fresh appeals against their controversial convictions. The release followed appeals from President-elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih who urged incumbent Abdulla Yameen to free all political prisoners in the tourist paradise atoll nation after his stunning victory at the September 23 election. Gayoom had ruled the nation of 340,000 Sunni Muslims for 30 straight years till he was defeated at the country's first multi-party elections in 2008. He helped his half-brother Yameen win a controversial run-off election in 2013, but they later fell out and became bitter foes. Gayoom was arrested in February along with the country's Chief Justice and another Supreme Court justice on a charge of attempting to topple Yameen. He declared a 45-day state of emergency to block impeachment. The country's elder leader was serving a 19-month jail term for obstruction of justice and was also under trial on a "terrorism" charge. Another Maldivian dissident, Qasim Ibrahim, was also granted bail. Soon after his defeat, Yameen freed five other political prisoners but was delaying the release of his half-brother who could have made a claim to the leadership of his PPM party. Yameen had jailed or exiled most of his rivals during a turbulent five-year term that will come to an end on November 17 when Solih will be sworn in.

Former Maldives president Abdul Gayoom freed on bail: Official

Dunya Maumoon, the daughter of former Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, urged the newly-elected government to release her father on the medical ground.

Dunya tweeted, "Good to see you today Bappa @maumoonagayoom &amp; my brother @afarismaumoon. I urge the Home Minister @AzleenAhmed to comply with the recommendation of the medical board and move my father home immediately! #Fatherofthenation."

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Good to see you today Bappa <a href="https://twitter.com/maumoonagayoom?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@maumoonagayoom</a> &amp; my brother <a href="https://twitter.com/afarismaumoon?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@afarismaumoon</a>. I urge the Home Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/AzleenAhmed?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AzleenAhmed</a> to comply with the recommendation of the medical board and move my father home immediately! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Fatherofthenation?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Fatherofthenation</a> <a href="https://t.co/iLIXheNKpZ">pic.twitter.com/iLIXheNKpZ</a>
— Dunya Maumoon (@dunyamaumoon) <a href="https://twitter.com/dunyamaumoon/status/1045320567753076736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Gayoom is lodged in Maafushi prison and his health has been deteriorating. The 83-year-old was convicted and sentenced for 19 years in June.

The trial was widely seen as a part of a plan of former President Abdulla Yameen to tighten his grip on power ahead of presidential elections on September 24.

Yameen, however, lost the elections to the opposition candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

Dunya Maumoon, the daughter of former Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, urged the newly-elected government to release her father on the medical ground. Dunya tweeted, "Good to see you today Bappa @maumoonagayoom & my brother @afarismaumoon.

Dunya Maumoon, the daughter of former Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, urged the newly-elected government to release her father on the medical ground. Dunya tweeted, "Good to see you today Bappa @maumoonagayoom & my brother @afarismaumoon. I urge the Home Minister @AzleenAhmed to comply with the recommendation of the medical board and move my father home immediately! #Fatherofthenation." Good to see you today Bappa @maumoonagayoom & my brother @afarismaumoon. I urge the Home Minister @AzleenAhmed to comply with the recommendation of the medical board and move my father home immediately! #Fatherofthenation pic.twitter.com/iLIXheNKpZ — Dunya Maumoon (@dunyamaumoon) September 27, 2018 × Gayoom is lodged in Maafushi prison and his health has been deteriorating. The 83-year-old was convicted and sentenced for 19 years in June. The trial was widely seen as a part of a plan of former President Abdulla Yameen to tighten his grip on power ahead of presidential elections on September 24. Yameen, however, lost the elections to the opposition candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

Dunya urges Maldivian Govt to release father Maumoon Gayoom

India on Thursday expressed its "deep dismay" over a Maldivian court sentencing the island nation's former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and the chief justice of its Supreme Court to long prison terms without a "fair trial".

The Ministry of External Affairs said the development casts a doubt on the Maldivian government's commitment to uphold the rule of law and will raise questions on the credibility of the presidential elections in that country, slated for September.

According to Maldivian media reports, Gayoom, 80, and Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed were handed similar prison terms of one year, seven months and six days by a court which found them guilty of obstructing justice.

In a statement, the MEA said India reiterated its "advice" to the Maldivian government to restore the credibility of the electoral and political process by immediately releasing political prisoners, including Gayoom and the chief justice.

Since the beginning of the political crisis in the Maldives, the ministry said, India has repeatedly urged the Maldivian government to allow all institutions, including its Supreme Court and Parliament, to function in an independent manner and permit genuine political dialogue between all political parties.

"This has also been the demand of the international community at large. It is, therefore, with deep dismay that we learned that the former president of the Maldives, as well as the chief justice of the Supreme Court, are being sentenced to long prison terms without fair trial," it said in a statement.&nbsp

"This casts doubt on the commitment of the Government of the Maldives to uphold the rule of law and will also call into question the credibility of the entire process of Presidential elections in September this year," the MEA said.

It said India believes that a democratic, stable and prosperous Maldives is in the interests of all its neighbours in the Indian Ocean.

"It reiterates its advice to the Government of the Maldives to restore the credibility of the electoral and political process by immediately releasing political prisoners including former President Gayoom and Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed and creating the necessary conditions for the participation of all political forces in the Presidential Elections," the ministry said.&nbsp

Ties between India and Maldives nosedived after Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen declared emergency on February 5, following an order by the Supreme Court to release a group of Opposition leaders who had been convicted in widely-criticised trials.

On February 21, India reacted strongly over the extension of emergency by a month. The emergency was lifted 45 days later.

In February, Maldives declined India's invitation to participate in the eight-day mega naval exercise - Milan - from March 6-13.&nbsp

The Ministry of External Affairs said the development casts a doubt on the Maldivian government's commitment to uphold the rule of law and will raise questions on the credibility of the presidential elections in that country, slated for September.

India on Thursday expressed its "deep dismay" over a Maldivian court sentencing the island nation's former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and the chief justice of its Supreme Court to long prison terms without a "fair trial". The Ministry of External Affairs said the development casts a doubt on the Maldivian government's commitment to uphold the rule of law and will raise questions on the credibility of the presidential elections in that country, slated for September. According to Maldivian media reports, Gayoom, 80, and Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed were handed similar prison terms of one year, seven months and six days by a court which found them guilty of obstructing justice. In a statement, the MEA said India reiterated its "advice" to the Maldivian government to restore the credibility of the electoral and political process by immediately releasing political prisoners, including Gayoom and the chief justice. Since the beginning of the political crisis in the Maldives, the ministry said, India has repeatedly urged the Maldivian government to allow all institutions, including its Supreme Court and Parliament, to function in an independent manner and permit genuine political dialogue between all political parties. "This has also been the demand of the international community at large. It is, therefore, with deep dismay that we learned that the former president of the Maldives, as well as the chief justice of the Supreme Court, are being sentenced to long prison terms without fair trial," it said in a statement. "This casts doubt on the commitment of the Government of the Maldives to uphold the rule of law and will also call into question the credibility of the entire process of Presidential elections in September this year," the MEA said. It said India believes that a democratic, stable and prosperous Maldives is in the interests of all its neighbours in the Indian Ocean. "It reiterates its advice to the Government of the Maldives to restore the credibility of the electoral and political process by immediately releasing political prisoners including former President Gayoom and Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed and creating the necessary conditions for the participation of all political forces in the Presidential Elections," the ministry said. Ties between India and Maldives nosedived after Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen declared emergency on February 5, following an order by the Supreme Court to release a group of Opposition leaders who had been convicted in widely-criticised trials. On February 21, India reacted strongly over the extension of emergency by a month. The emergency was lifted 45 days later. In February, Maldives declined India's invitation to participate in the eight-day mega naval exercise - Milan - from March 6-13.

India dismayed over long prison terms to former Maldivian president, chief justice

According to reports, former President of the Maldives Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has been sentenced to jail. Maumoon will serve a total of 1 year 7 months and 6 days in jail. 
&nbsp; 
Abdulla Saeed and judge Ali Hameed of the Supreme Court of Maldives have also been sentenced.

Maldives President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom imposed a state of emergency on February 5 for 15 days to annul a February 1 Supreme Court ruling that quashed convictions against nine opposition leaders and ordered his government to free those held in prison.&nbsp;

He later extended the state of emergency for another 30 days with parliament approval, a move challenged by the opposition.&nbsp;

Under the emergency, Yameen’s administration arrested former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, the chief justice, another Supreme Court judge, and a Supreme Court administrator on allegations of attempting to overthrow the government. They have all rejected the charges.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Abdulla Saeed and judge Ali Hameed of the Supreme Court of Maldives have also been sentenced

According to reports, former President of the Maldives Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has been sentenced to jail. Maumoon will serve a total of 1 year 7 months and 6 days in jail. Abdulla Saeed and judge Ali Hameed of the Supreme Court of Maldives have also been sentenced. Maldives President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom imposed a state of emergency on February 5 for 15 days to annul a February 1 Supreme Court ruling that quashed convictions against nine opposition leaders and ordered his government to free those held in prison. He later extended the state of emergency for another 30 days with parliament approval, a move challenged by the opposition. Under the emergency, Yameen’s administration arrested former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, the chief justice, another Supreme Court judge, and a Supreme Court administrator on allegations of attempting to overthrow the government. They have all rejected the charges.

Maldives: Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom sentenced to jail 

Maldives President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom&nbsp;on Thursday lifted the 45-day State of Emergency that he imposed&nbsp;on February 5.

Yameen imposed a state of emergency on February 5 for 15 days to annul a February 1 Supreme Court ruling that quashed convictions against nine opposition leaders and ordered his government to free those held in prison.&nbsp;

He later extended the state of emergency for another 30 days with parliament approval, a move challenged by the opposition.&nbsp;

Under the emergency, Yameen&rsquo;s administration arrested former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, the chief justice, another Supreme Court judge, and a Supreme Court administrator on allegations of attempting to overthrow the government. They have all rejected the charges.&nbsp;

Maldives police said on Saturday that at least 139 opposition protesters were arrested as they attempted to defy orders under the state of emergency and march into the high-security zone in capital Male.&nbsp;

Now, The Maldives Police have been able to progress substantially into their investigation of corruption and other crimes relating to the Constitutional Crisis.&nbsp;

The Prosecutor General issued a statement on 20 March 2018 outlining the charges to be filled by her Office regarding the submissions by the Maldives Police Service to date.

The emergency was imposed following a political and constitutional crisis following a Supreme Court order to release nine persons including the exiled former President Mohamed Nasheed.

Maldives President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom on Thursday lifted the 45-day State of Emergency that he imposed on February 5. Yameen imposed a state of emergency on February 5 for 15 days to annul a February 1 Supreme Court ruling that quashed convictions against nine opposition leaders and ordered his government to free those held in prison. He later extended the state of emergency for another 30 days with parliament approval, a move challenged by the opposition. Under the emergency, Yameen’s administration arrested former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, the chief justice, another Supreme Court judge, and a Supreme Court administrator on allegations of attempting to overthrow the government. They have all rejected the charges. Maldives police said on Saturday that at least 139 opposition protesters were arrested as they attempted to defy orders under the state of emergency and march into the high-security zone in capital Male. Now, The Maldives Police have been able to progress substantially into their investigation of corruption and other crimes relating to the Constitutional Crisis. The Prosecutor General issued a statement on 20 March 2018 outlining the charges to be filled by her Office regarding the submissions by the Maldives Police Service to date.

Maldives President lifts state of emergency

Authorities in Maldives charged longtime former dictator and top judges and police officials with terrorism as the government deals with political turmoil that prompted a weeks-long state of emergency.

According to reports, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/maldives-to-lift-state-of-emergency-charge-ex-president-chief-justice-with-bribery-36487">nine people charged</a> at the criminal court included Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, the 30-year ruler of the Indian Ocean archipelago state; Supreme Court Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed and Justice Ali Hameed; four lawmakers including Gayoom&#39;s son; and a former police commissioner.

Prosecutors did not specify the grounds on which they are charged with terrorism. If convicted, they could be jailed for 10 to 15 years. All three also were charged with obstruction of justice on suspicion of refusing to hand over their phones to investigators.

Under the emergency, Yameen&#39;s administration arrested former president&nbsp;Maumoon&nbsp;AbdulGayoom, the chief justice, another Supreme Court judge, and a Supreme Court administrator on allegations of attempting to overthrow the government. They have all rejected the charges.

&quot;Unless something unusual happens, we should not have an emergency by Thursday,&quot; Mohamed Hussain Shareef, Maldives Ambassador for Sri Lanka told a Foreign Correspondents Association forum on Monday.

&quot;The government has no intention of extending it any further barring very unusual circumstances like widespread violence. The intention is to do away with this state of emergency when the current 30 day period expires on March 22.&quot;

Shareef said bribery charges against Chief Justice&nbsp;Abdulla Saeed and Supreme Court Judge Ali Hameed have been sent to the prosecutor general and that bribery charges will also be brought against former president&nbsp;Gayoom&nbsp;and Supreme Court administrator Hassan Sayeed.

&quot;That is definite. We know that charges will be pressed against the four of them,&rdquo; Shareef said.

Gayoom&nbsp;is accused of bribing the three legal professionals to overthrow the Yameen government.

Meanwhile, Maldives&nbsp;President Abdulla Yameen will lift a 45-day state of emergency on Thursday.&nbsp;

If convicted, they could be jailed for 10 to 15 years. All three also were charged with obstruction of justice on suspicion of refusing to hand over their phones to investigators

Authorities in Maldives charged longtime former dictator and top judges and police officials with terrorism as the government deals with political turmoil that prompted a weeks-long state of emergency. According to reports, nine people charged at the criminal court included Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, the 30-year ruler of the Indian Ocean archipelago state; Supreme Court Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed and Justice Ali Hameed; four lawmakers including Gayoom's son; and a former police commissioner. Prosecutors did not specify the grounds on which they are charged with terrorism. If convicted, they could be jailed for 10 to 15 years. All three also were charged with obstruction of justice on suspicion of refusing to hand over their phones to investigators. Under the emergency, Yameen's administration arrested former president Maumoon AbdulGayoom, the chief justice, another Supreme Court judge, and a Supreme Court administrator on allegations of attempting to overthrow the government. They have all rejected the charges. "Unless something unusual happens, we should not have an emergency by Thursday," Mohamed Hussain Shareef, Maldives Ambassador for Sri Lanka told a Foreign Correspondents Association forum on Monday. "The government has no intention of extending it any further barring very unusual circumstances like widespread violence. The intention is to do away with this state of emergency when the current 30 day period expires on March 22." Shareef said bribery charges against Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed and Supreme Court Judge Ali Hameed have been sent to the prosecutor general and that bribery charges will also be brought against former president Gayoom and Supreme Court administrator Hassan Sayeed. "That is definite. We know that charges will be pressed against the four of them,” Shareef said. Gayoom is accused of bribing the three legal professionals to overthrow the Yameen government. Meanwhile, Maldives President Abdulla Yameen will lift a 45-day state of emergency on Thursday.

Maldives: Former dictator, judges charged with terrorism

Maldives health minister <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/maldives-turns-down-indian-invite-to-naval-exercise-34200">Dunya Maumoon resigned today</a> pained by the arrest of his father as the crisis in the island nation continued unabated.&nbsp;

&ldquo;Today, at this time of<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/maldives-opposition-protesters-arrested-after-top-court-validates-emergency-rule-34207"> pain and crisis for both my family </a>and my country, it is my sincere hope to see my father home at the earliest,&rdquo; Maumoon said, adding, &ldquo;I call upon the international community to support the Maldivian people to help us overcome this crisis and to build a stronger democratic system.&quot;

Maldives president &nbsp;Abdulla Yameen had declared a state of emergency on February which was extended by 30-days after the Supreme Court gave its approval.

Dunya&#39;s father is Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who is also the president&#39;s half-brother. Gayoom ruled the country for 30 years until 2008. He was arrested last month as the government crackdown on several top government officials including the chief justice who was put behind bars.

&ldquo;He is not just my father, but the father of the nation, who has built this country and has earned the respect and love of the people,&rdquo; Dunya said.

Last week the Maldives government had arrested at least another four opposition members under the state of emergency laws for protesting against President Abdulla Yameen&#39;s government.

The United States, Canada including India, along with the United Nations, have urged Yameen to lift the emergency but the government has ignored all suggestions so far.&nbsp;

The government said in a statement it had to take &quot;difficult steps&quot; to safeguard the constitution and ensure that &quot;civil and political rights&quot; were protected.

Under the emergency, Yameen&#39;s administration has arrested the chief justice, another Supreme Court judge and former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom on allegations of attempting to overthrow the government.

Maldives president Abdulla Yameen had declared a state of emergency on February which was extended by 30-days after the Supreme Court gave its approval.

Maldives health minister Dunya Maumoon resigned today pained by the arrest of his father as the crisis in the island nation continued unabated. “Today, at this time of pain and crisis for both my family and my country, it is my sincere hope to see my father home at the earliest,” Maumoon said, adding, “I call upon the international community to support the Maldivian people to help us overcome this crisis and to build a stronger democratic system." Maldives president Abdulla Yameen had declared a state of emergency on February which was extended by 30-days after the Supreme Court gave its approval. Dunya's father is Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who is also the president's half-brother. Gayoom ruled the country for 30 years until 2008. He was arrested last month as the government crackdown on several top government officials including the chief justice who was put behind bars. “He is not just my father, but the father of the nation, who has built this country and has earned the respect and love of the people,” Dunya said. Last week the Maldives government had arrested at least another four opposition members under the state of emergency laws for protesting against President Abdulla Yameen's government. The United States, Canada including India, along with the United Nations, have urged Yameen to lift the emergency but the government has ignored all suggestions so far. The government said in a statement it had to take "difficult steps" to safeguard the constitution and ensure that "civil and political rights" were protected. Under the emergency, Yameen's administration has arrested the chief justice, another Supreme Court judge and former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom on allegations of attempting to overthrow the government.

Maldives health minister resigns, calls for 'international support'

Famed as an upmarket tourist destination of white beaches and turquoise waters, the island nation of the Maldives is troubled by political turmoil and rising sea levels. The country is a collection of 26 atolls made up of 1,192 tiny islands scattered 800 kilometres (550 miles) across the equator.

Only 200 islands are inhabited with the country&#39;s population put at 3,40,000 in the last census but estimated at around 4,17,000 in 2016 by the World Bank.

Its 298 square kilometres (115 square miles) are home to about three per cent of the world&#39;s coral reefs.

Tourism is the principal income earner, providing 41 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2016 and nearly 20 per cent of jobs, the World Travel and Tourism Council says.

The archipelago&#39;s beauty drew around 1.28 million tourists in 2016, a four-per cent rise over the previous year, according to UN&#39;s World Tourism Organization data.

It is a destination especially prized among honeymooners, such as Hollywood stars Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes who visited in 2006. Maumoon Abdul Gayoom ruled with an iron fist for 30 years until 2008, when he lost the first multi-party polls to human rights activist Mohamed Nasheed.

Nasheed was forced to resign in 2012 after a police mutiny and demonstrations that he said were part of a coup plot.

In disputed elections the following year, he was defeated by Gayoom&#39;s half brother, Abdulla Yameen, the current president.

In 2015, Nasheed was sentenced to 13 years in jail on a terrorism charge widely criticised as politically motivated.

In 2016, he was granted prison leave for medical treatment in London, where he secured political asylum with the help of high-profile human rights lawyer Amal Clooney.

While Nasheed continues to push for change from exile, Yameen declared a state of emergency on February 6 after judges ordered the release of his opponents. Eighty per cent of the Maldives is less than a metre above sea level, making it one of the countries most threatened by rising sea levels linked to climate warming.

In 2009, Nasheed held a cabinet meeting underwater to raise awareness of the risk, also warning his people could become climate refugees. Situated along Indian Ocean trading routes and about 650 kilometres southwest of Sri Lanka, the Maldives has been colonised several times.

Once a Buddhist kingdom, it converted to Islam around the 12th century.

Portuguese explorers occupied the main island of Mahe in the 16th century. The territory then became protectorates of the Dutch and the British before complete independence on 1965.

Sunni Islam today remains the state religion, all other religions being banned. The Maldives follows a moderate version of Islam while banning alcohol, except in tourist hotels, and homosexuality.

It also flogs women found guilty of &quot;fornication&quot;, says Amnesty International, which is critical of the human rights situation that it says includes restrictions on peaceful protests and expression.

The Maldives left the Commonwealth in 2016 in a row over criticism of its rights record.

There are fears of radicalisation with the arrival of Middle East preachers and via radical websites.

Nearly 60 Maldivians are known to have travelled to Syria and Iraq to fight with foreign jihadists, and some are believed to have returned.

In travel advice issued this year, the United States urged increased caution due to the possibility of a terror attack.

It is a destination especially prized among honeymooners, such as Hollywood stars Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes who visited in 2006.

Famed as an upmarket tourist destination of white beaches and turquoise waters, the island nation of the Maldives is troubled by political turmoil and rising sea levels. The country is a collection of 26 atolls made up of 1,192 tiny islands scattered 800 kilometres (550 miles) across the equator. Only 200 islands are inhabited with the country's population put at 3,40,000 in the last census but estimated at around 4,17,000 in 2016 by the World Bank. Its 298 square kilometres (115 square miles) are home to about three per cent of the world's coral reefs. Tourism is the principal income earner, providing 41 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2016 and nearly 20 per cent of jobs, the World Travel and Tourism Council says. The archipelago's beauty drew around 1.28 million tourists in 2016, a four-per cent rise over the previous year, according to UN's World Tourism Organization data. It is a destination especially prized among honeymooners, such as Hollywood stars Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes who visited in 2006. Maumoon Abdul Gayoom ruled with an iron fist for 30 years until 2008, when he lost the first multi-party polls to human rights activist Mohamed Nasheed. Nasheed was forced to resign in 2012 after a police mutiny and demonstrations that he said were part of a coup plot. In disputed elections the following year, he was defeated by Gayoom's half brother, Abdulla Yameen, the current president. In 2015, Nasheed was sentenced to 13 years in jail on a terrorism charge widely criticised as politically motivated. In 2016, he was granted prison leave for medical treatment in London, where he secured political asylum with the help of high-profile human rights lawyer Amal Clooney. While Nasheed continues to push for change from exile, Yameen declared a state of emergency on February 6 after judges ordered the release of his opponents. Eighty per cent of the Maldives is less than a metre above sea level, making it one of the countries most threatened by rising sea levels linked to climate warming. In 2009, Nasheed held a cabinet meeting underwater to raise awareness of the risk, also warning his people could become climate refugees. Situated along Indian Ocean trading routes and about 650 kilometres southwest of Sri Lanka, the Maldives has been colonised several times. Once a Buddhist kingdom, it converted to Islam around the 12th century. Portuguese explorers occupied the main island of Mahe in the 16th century. The territory then became protectorates of the Dutch and the British before complete independence on 1965. Sunni Islam today remains the state religion, all other religions being banned. The Maldives follows a moderate version of Islam while banning alcohol, except in tourist hotels, and homosexuality. It also flogs women found guilty of "fornication", says Amnesty International, which is critical of the human rights situation that it says includes restrictions on peaceful protests and expression. The Maldives left the Commonwealth in 2016 in a row over criticism of its rights record. There are fears of radicalisation with the arrival of Middle East preachers and via radical websites. Nearly 60 Maldivians are known to have travelled to Syria and Iraq to fight with foreign jihadists, and some are believed to have returned. In travel advice issued this year, the United States urged increased caution due to the possibility of a terror attack.

The Maldives, a honeymoon haven in peril

Maldives President Abdulla Yameen declared a 15-day state of emergency in the honeymoon islands on Monday before heavily armed troops stormed the country&#39;s top court and a former leader was arrested in a deepening political crisis.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/security-forces-storm-maldives-supreme-court-reports-31894">Security forces storm Maldives Supreme Court</a>

The tiny tourist archipelago in the Indian Ocean has been plunged into chaos, with the president pitted against the Supreme Court after he refused to comply with its Thursday order to release nine political dissidents.

The standoff comes amid a years-long government crackdown on dissent that has battered the image of the upmarket holiday paradise, with the president jailing almost all the political opposition since he came to power in 2013.

On Monday, Maldives police arrested Yameen`s estranged half-brother and former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who had sided with the main opposition.

The 80-year-old &mdash; president for 30 years until the country`s first democratic elections in 2008 &mdash; was taken from his home in the capital Male around midnight on Monday, according to a tweet from his daughter Yumna Maumoon.

&quot;I have not done anything to be arrested,&quot; Gayoom said in a video message to supporters posted on Twitter.

&quot;I urge you to remain steadfast in your resolve too. We will not give up on the reform work we are doing.&quot;

Heavily armed troops and police special operations units had earlier stormed the Supreme Court building where Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed and others were sheltering, the court said on Twitter, though their fate was not immediately clear.

Hundreds of people had gathered outside the courts complex and police used pepper spray to disperse the crowds.

The court`s shock move on Thursday had also ordered the government to restore the seats of 12 legislators sacked for defecting from Yameen`s party.

The opposition now has the majority in the assembly &mdash; meaning they could potentially impeach the president.

But the government, which has ordered police and troops to resist any attempt to arrest or impeach Yameen, said the court was not above the law.

&quot;The Supreme Court ruling stands in defiance of the highest authority in the country: the constitution,&quot; spokesman Ibrahim Hussain Shihab said in a statement.

&quot;The Supreme Court must remember that it too is bound by law.&quot;

He said the government would &quot;facilitate calm&quot; and ensure the safety of all citizens and tourists &quot;throughout this unusual period&quot;.In a blow to the regime, the court`s Thursday decision also paved the way for exiled former president Mohamed Nasheed &mdash; the first to be democratically elected but who was controversially convicted of terrorism in 2015 &mdash; to run for president this year.

Yameen, who has faced several unsuccessful opposition attempts to impeach him for alleged corruption, responded by shuttering parliament and on Monday his aide Azima Shukoor announced the state of emergency on national television.

&quot;The reason for the declaration is that the Supreme Court`s ruling was obstructing the functioning of the government,&quot; Azima said. 
The emergency declaration gives sweeping powers to security forces to arrest and detain individuals, curtails the powers of the judiciary and bars parliament from impeaching Yameen.

But it must be officially conveyed to parliament within two days, according to officials.

Nasheed, who has expressed fears of unrest, said the declaration amounted to martial law as an opposition legislator called it a &quot;desperate move&quot;.

&quot;(This) is tantamount to a declaration of martial law in the Maldives,&quot; Nasheed said while urging regional superpower India to intervene.Opposition legislators have also called on the international community to pressure Yameen.

The United States said it was &quot;troubled and disappointed&quot; at reports the leader had declared a state of emergency while calling on him to comply with the rule of law.

&quot;Despite being elected in 2013 with the support of a broad coalition, President Yameen has systematically alienated his coalition, jailed or exiled every major opposition political figure, deprived elected Members of Parliament of their right to represent their voters in the legislature, revised laws to erode human rights... and weakened the institutions of government,&quot; the State Department said in a statement.

India meanwhile asked its nationals to defer all non-essential travel to the archipelago, saying that the situation in the country was a matter of concern.

The United Nations, Australia, Britain, Canada, India and the US previously welcomed the court`s decision, while UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres at the weekend called for &quot;restraint&quot; as the crisis escalated.

Police also arrested former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom at his residence along with his son-in-law

Maldives President Abdulla Yameen declared a 15-day state of emergency in the honeymoon islands on Monday before heavily armed troops stormed the country's top court and a former leader was arrested in a deepening political crisis. Also read: Security forces storm Maldives Supreme Court The tiny tourist archipelago in the Indian Ocean has been plunged into chaos, with the president pitted against the Supreme Court after he refused to comply with its Thursday order to release nine political dissidents. The standoff comes amid a years-long government crackdown on dissent that has battered the image of the upmarket holiday paradise, with the president jailing almost all the political opposition since he came to power in 2013. On Monday, Maldives police arrested Yameen`s estranged half-brother and former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who had sided with the main opposition. The 80-year-old — president for 30 years until the country`s first democratic elections in 2008 — was taken from his home in the capital Male around midnight on Monday, according to a tweet from his daughter Yumna Maumoon. "I have not done anything to be arrested," Gayoom said in a video message to supporters posted on Twitter. "I urge you to remain steadfast in your resolve too. We will not give up on the reform work we are doing." Heavily armed troops and police special operations units had earlier stormed the Supreme Court building where Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed and others were sheltering, the court said on Twitter, though their fate was not immediately clear. Hundreds of people had gathered outside the courts complex and police used pepper spray to disperse the crowds. The court`s shock move on Thursday had also ordered the government to restore the seats of 12 legislators sacked for defecting from Yameen`s party. The opposition now has the majority in the assembly — meaning they could potentially impeach the president. But the government, which has ordered police and troops to resist any attempt to arrest or impeach Yameen, said the court was not above the law. "The Supreme Court ruling stands in defiance of the highest authority in the country: the constitution," spokesman Ibrahim Hussain Shihab said in a statement. "The Supreme Court must remember that it too is bound by law." He said the government would "facilitate calm" and ensure the safety of all citizens and tourists "throughout this unusual period".In a blow to the regime, the court`s Thursday decision also paved the way for exiled former president Mohamed Nasheed — the first to be democratically elected but who was controversially convicted of terrorism in 2015 — to run for president this year. Yameen, who has faced several unsuccessful opposition attempts to impeach him for alleged corruption, responded by shuttering parliament and on Monday his aide Azima Shukoor announced the state of emergency on national television. "The reason for the declaration is that the Supreme Court`s ruling was obstructing the functioning of the government," Azima said. The emergency declaration gives sweeping powers to security forces to arrest and detain individuals, curtails the powers of the judiciary and bars parliament from impeaching Yameen. But it must be officially conveyed to parliament within two days, according to officials. Nasheed, who has expressed fears of unrest, said the declaration amounted to martial law as an opposition legislator called it a "desperate move". "(This) is tantamount to a declaration of martial law in the Maldives," Nasheed said while urging regional superpower India to intervene.Opposition legislators have also called on the international community to pressure Yameen. The United States said it was "troubled and disappointed" at reports the leader had declared a state of emergency while calling on him to comply with the rule of law. "Despite being elected in 2013 with the support of a broad coalition, President Yameen has systematically alienated his coalition, jailed or exiled every major opposition political figure, deprived elected Members of Parliament of their right to represent their voters in the legislature, revised laws to erode human rights... and weakened the institutions of government," the State Department said in a statement. India meanwhile asked its nationals to defer all non-essential travel to the archipelago, saying that the situation in the country was a matter of concern. The United Nations, Australia, Britain, Canada, India and the US previously welcomed the court`s decision, while UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres at the weekend called for "restraint" as the crisis escalated.

Maldives declares state of emergency as Yameen tightens grip on power, India warns travellers

Maldives President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom can secure another term in office even without the support of his half-brother and the leader of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, PPM&#39;s deputy leader Abdul Raheem Abdulla said today.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The ongoing row between President Yameen and his half-brother former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has created a divide in the ruling PPM. While PPM council had requested to grant the party ticket for 2018 presidential election to President Yameen without a primary, Maumoon had refused saying that he cannot go against the democratic values of the party.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Abdulla, however, told local reporters today during a press conference in the capital city of Male that Yameen will get re-elected in 2018 with or without the support of his half-brother Maumoon.

&nbsp;

&quot;Yameen will definitely win the 2018 election. Anyone who doesn&#39;t want to back him can stay at home. PPM parliamentary group and the council will work together and secure a second term for President Yameen. We do not have any doubt over this,&quot; he said.

&nbsp;

It&#39;s pertinent to mention that PPM charter says that the presidential candidate from the party must be elected through a primary held three to six months prior to the presidential elections.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Yameen&#39;s former home minister Umar Naseer has announced that he will run for the President in 2018 and he has been rallying support for the PPM Presidential Primary.

&nbsp;

(WION)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

'Anyone who doesn't want to back him can stay at home,' PPM's deputy leader Abdul Raheem Abdulla said today

Maldives President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom can secure another term in office even without the support of his half-brother and the leader of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, PPM's deputy leader Abdul Raheem Abdulla said today. The ongoing row between President Yameen and his half-brother former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has created a divide in the ruling PPM. While PPM council had requested to grant the party ticket for 2018 presidential election to President Yameen without a primary, Maumoon had refused saying that he cannot go against the democratic values of the party. Abdulla, however, told local reporters today during a press conference in the capital city of Male that Yameen will get re-elected in 2018 with or without the support of his half-brother Maumoon. "Yameen will definitely win the 2018 election. Anyone who doesn't want to back him can stay at home. PPM parliamentary group and the council will work together and secure a second term for President Yameen. We do not have any doubt over this," he said. It's pertinent to mention that PPM charter says that the presidential candidate from the party must be elected through a primary held three to six months prior to the presidential elections. Meanwhile, Yameen's former home minister Umar Naseer has announced that he will run for the President in 2018 and he has been rallying support for the PPM Presidential Primary. (WION)

'Maldives President can secure another term without half-brother's support,' says PPM's deputy leader

Maldives opposition leader Mohamed Nasheed said he is in talks with former president Maumoon Gayoom to &#39;legally topple&#39; the current president of the tropical nation. 
 
Nasheed, who was jailed several times under the autocratic leadership of Gayoom, said that President Yameen&#39;s days were &#39;numbered&#39;. 
 
&quot;He (Yameen) has lost the support of the people and the international community. We can restore democracy in the Maldives,&quot; the exiled leader said. Nasheed was jailed on terrorism charges and now lives in exile in London. He was also the first Maldivian president to be democratically elected in 2008. 
 
Nasheed said he wanted to bury the hatchet with his old rival and former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. 
 
Nasheed said he had forgiven Gayoom and was in talks with his faction of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) &quot;for a new political alignment&quot;, AFP reported. 
 
&quot;And so the position of the Maldives United Opposition, of which I am a member, is that for democracy to be restored in the Maldives it is essential that President Yameen be removed from power,&quot; he told Colombo-based reporters via Skype from London on Tuesday. 
 
Nasheed visited Colombo last month to meet fellow dissidents and strategise Yameen&#39;s overthrow. Gayoom did not comment on the matter. 
 
&quot;The opposition was expecting Gayoom to get a section of his party to withdraw support for Yameen late last month, but for some reason that did not happen,&quot; said one western diplomatic source in Colombo, speaking on condition of anonymity. 
 
Nasheed resigned as president in 2012 after an opposition-led police mutiny. In the past, he has accused Gayoom of orchestrating his downfall. 
 
An arrest warrant was issued against the former president earlier this month, &nbsp;for failing to return to the troubled archipelago to complete a jail sentence after receiving medical care in Britain, AFP had reported. 
 
Denting its image as a paradise for upmarket tourists, the Indian Ocean island chain has been gripped by political turmoil since Nasheed was forced to resign. 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies)

Mohamed Nasheed is in talks with the former president to overthrow his half-brother, President Abdulla Yameen

Maldives opposition leader Mohamed Nasheed said he is in talks with former president Maumoon Gayoom to 'legally topple' the current president of the tropical nation. Nasheed, who was jailed several times under the autocratic leadership of Gayoom, said that President Yameen's days were 'numbered'. "He (Yameen) has lost the support of the people and the international community. We can restore democracy in the Maldives," the exiled leader said. Nasheed was jailed on terrorism charges and now lives in exile in London. He was also the first Maldivian president to be democratically elected in 2008. Nasheed said he wanted to bury the hatchet with his old rival and former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. Nasheed said he had forgiven Gayoom and was in talks with his faction of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) "for a new political alignment", AFP reported. "And so the position of the Maldives United Opposition, of which I am a member, is that for democracy to be restored in the Maldives it is essential that President Yameen be removed from power," he told Colombo-based reporters via Skype from London on Tuesday. Nasheed visited Colombo last month to meet fellow dissidents and strategise Yameen's overthrow. Gayoom did not comment on the matter. "The opposition was expecting Gayoom to get a section of his party to withdraw support for Yameen late last month, but for some reason that did not happen," said one western diplomatic source in Colombo, speaking on condition of anonymity. Nasheed resigned as president in 2012 after an opposition-led police mutiny. In the past, he has accused Gayoom of orchestrating his downfall. An arrest warrant was issued against the former president earlier this month, for failing to return to the troubled archipelago to complete a jail sentence after receiving medical care in Britain, AFP had reported. Denting its image as a paradise for upmarket tourists, the Indian Ocean island chain has been gripped by political turmoil since Nasheed was forced to resign. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Maldives opposition leader in talks to 'topple' president

An arrest warrant has been issued for former president Mohamed Nasheed, Maldives said today. 
 
A Maldivian criminal court issued the warrant against Nasheed, country&#39;s first democratically elected president who was toppled in 2012, for failing to return to the troubled archipelago to complete a jail sentence after receiving medical care in Britain, the AFP reported.&nbsp; 
 
The 49-year-old leader was granted political asylum last year in May after he was authorised to travel for medical treatment while serving the sentence for a terror-related offence. 
 
&quot;The warrant for Nasheed&#39;s arrest was sought over an investigation into the alleged misuse of state funds during his presidency,&quot; the police said in a statement.&nbsp; 
 
It is pertinent to mention that the order has been released days after Nasheed flew to neighbouring Sri Lanka.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;The Maldives correctional service is seeking to have him brought back to serve the remainder of his 13-year sentence on a terror conviction,&quot; The Maldives Independent reported, citing the statement. 
 
The police were also authorised to arrest and bring back Mohamed Jameel Ahmed and Akram Kamaldeen, a senior official of the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party, for refusing to obey a police summon on August 4, which ordered the pair to return to the Maldives within two weeks for questioning over unspecified charges, the paper said. 
 
Jameel, who fled the Maldives in July last year, has also been granted political refugee status by the UK government. He has since been living in self-imposed exile in the UK.&nbsp; 
 
Political turmoil denting Maldives&#39;s image&nbsp; 
 
Denting its image as a paradise for upmarket tourists, the Indian Ocean island chain has been gripped by political turmoil since Nasheed was forced to resign in 2012.&nbsp; 
 
Nasheed&#39;s conviction last year&nbsp;invited widespread international condemnation. He was among members of several exiled opposition groups meeting in Colombo, two people in Nasheed&#39;s Maldivian Democratic Party told AFP at the weekend. 
 
A climate change activist, Nasheed was elected president in 2008. He was also imprisoned during the three-decade rule of former strongman Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.&nbsp; 
 
According to AFP, sources close to Nasheed said he was eager to discuss the Maldives turmoil with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who was to arrive in Colombo late Wednesday on a two-day visit for talks with Sri Lankan leaders. 
 
(WION with inputs from PTI, AFP)&nbsp;

Arrest warrant was issued against exiled leader Mohamed Nasheed for failing to return to the troubled Maldives to complete a jail sentence

An arrest warrant has been issued for former president Mohamed Nasheed, Maldives said today. A Maldivian criminal court issued the warrant against Nasheed, country's first democratically elected president who was toppled in 2012, for failing to return to the troubled archipelago to complete a jail sentence after receiving medical care in Britain, the AFP reported. The 49-year-old leader was granted political asylum last year in May after he was authorised to travel for medical treatment while serving the sentence for a terror-related offence. "The warrant for Nasheed's arrest was sought over an investigation into the alleged misuse of state funds during his presidency," the police said in a statement. It is pertinent to mention that the order has been released days after Nasheed flew to neighbouring Sri Lanka. "The Maldives correctional service is seeking to have him brought back to serve the remainder of his 13-year sentence on a terror conviction," The Maldives Independent reported, citing the statement. The police were also authorised to arrest and bring back Mohamed Jameel Ahmed and Akram Kamaldeen, a senior official of the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party, for refusing to obey a police summon on August 4, which ordered the pair to return to the Maldives within two weeks for questioning over unspecified charges, the paper said. Jameel, who fled the Maldives in July last year, has also been granted political refugee status by the UK government. He has since been living in self-imposed exile in the UK. Political turmoil denting Maldives's image Denting its image as a paradise for upmarket tourists, the Indian Ocean island chain has been gripped by political turmoil since Nasheed was forced to resign in 2012. Nasheed's conviction last year invited widespread international condemnation. He was among members of several exiled opposition groups meeting in Colombo, two people in Nasheed's Maldivian Democratic Party told AFP at the weekend. A climate change activist, Nasheed was elected president in 2008. He was also imprisoned during the three-decade rule of former strongman Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. According to AFP, sources close to Nasheed said he was eager to discuss the Maldives turmoil with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who was to arrive in Colombo late Wednesday on a two-day visit for talks with Sri Lankan leaders. (WION with inputs from PTI, AFP)

Maldives issues arrest warrant against country's first democratically elected president?