Maldives: Reinstated MPs enter Parliament amid military deployment

The current political unrest in Maldives took a new turn on Sunday when reinstated 12 MPs entered the Parliament despite heavy military deployment. The military forces had blocked MPs' entry into the premises. Despite Parliament seizure by the military, some MPs managed to enter into the premises and then opened gate for others. At least 12 MPs entered into the Parliament. Protests continued in the Maldivian capital as President Abdulla Yameen refused to follow Maldivian Supreme Court's ruling to release key political prisoners and reinstate 12 parliamentary members. This decision has pushed the island nation into a crisis with likelihood of emergency being declared, as Yameen has got the first Parliament session of 2018 (scheduled for February 5) cancelled, sensing that the Opposition will be in majority because of the apex court order.