Maldives Emergency LIVE UPDATES: MEA expresses concern over situation, asks Indian nationals to avoid non-essential travel

Abdulla Yameen took oath as the President of Maldives in November 2013. (Source: Reuters)

Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen has declared a 15-day state of emergency, his aide Azima Shukoor announced on state television on Monday. The move gives sweeping powers to security forces to arrest and detain suspects and comes amid a deepening political crisis in the Indian Ocean nation as Yameen refuses to comply with a Supreme Court order to release political prisoners.

The declaration of emergency comes just 24 hours after Yameen refused to follow the court’s ruling to release key political prisoners and reinstate 12 MPs.

A brief history of crisis in Maldives

Maldives Emergency LIVE UPDATES

12.45 am: Maldives police have arrested ex-president Gayoom, AFP quoting daughter as saying.

11:00 pm: The United States called on the Maldives government and military to respect the rule of law after the president of the archipelago declared a state of emergency. “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 White House National Security Council said in a post on Twitter.

10:21 pm: Nasheed was earlier granted asylum by the UK after he was authorised to seek medical treatment there amid mounting foreign pressure. The leader, who is currently in Sri Lanka, had welcomed the court order and said President Abdulla Yameen must resign

10:20 pm: The island nation has been witnessing political unrest and street protests since Nasheed was convicted in 2015 on terror charges and sentenced to 13 years in jail.

10:18 pm:  Mohamed Nasheed tweeted, “President Yameen must resign immediately. Security services must uphold the constitution and serve the Maldivian people.”

10:17 pm:  India had said it was imperative for “all organs” of the Maldivian government to abide by the country’s Supreme Court order to release all political prisoners “in the spirit of democracy”.

10:15 pm: There are reports of clashes between supporters of Nasheed and police in the capital city Male today where hundreds of policemen have been deployed to restore peace.

10:10 pm: Opposition members have urged the international community to intervene in the matters following latest developments after the government ignored the orders from the Supreme Court.

9:50 pm: announcing the emergency on state TV, Shakoor said, “The government of Maldives wishes to assure all Maldivians and the international community that the safety of all Maldivians and foreigners living in and visiting the Maldives will be ensured.”

9:41 pm: The situation becomes grave in the Indian Ocean nation as President Yameen holds on to power, with protests ravaging in the country.

Maldivian police officers detain an opposition protestor demanding the release of political prisoners during a protest in Male, Maldives on Friday. (AP Photo)

9:27 pm: Trouble began in Maldives last week when the Supreme Court ruled that all politicians opposed to Yameen, including the former president Mohamed Nasheed, be released.

Opposition supporters protest against the government’s delay in releasing their jailed leaders, including former president Mohamed Nasheed. (Source: REUTERS)

9:18 pm: The move gives sweeping powers to security forces to arrest and detain suspects, and comes amid a deepening political crisis in the Indian Ocean nation as Yameen refuses to comply with a Supreme Court order.

9:17 pm: “The prevailing political developments in Maldives and the resultant law and order situation is a matter of concern for the government. Indian nationals are, therefore, advised to defer all non-essential travels to Male and other atolls until further notice,” the advisory said.

9:16 pm: In an advisory, the external affairs ministry said Indian expatriates in the Maldives are also alerted to the need for heightened security awareness and urged to exercise due caution in public and avoid public gatherings.

9:15 pm: The announcement about the state of emergency was made on the state TV by Azima Shukoor, minister for legal affairs at the president’s office.

9:11 pm: Here is a list of rights that have been withdrawn under the emergency imposed by President Yameen

Art 24: Privacy
Art 29: Freedom of information
Art 31: Right to Strike
Art 32: Freedom of Assembly
Art 43: Fair and Administrative Action
Art 44: Personal Liability
Art 45: No unlawful arrest or detention
Art 46: Power of arrest and detention
Art 47: Search and seizure
Art 49: Right Release of accused
Art 50: Right Prompt investigation and prosecution
Art 56: Right to appeal
Art 58: Right to Compensation
Art 65: Application to Court to obtain a remedy
Art 99: Summoning persons
Art 100: Removal of President or Vice President
Art 101: Vote of no confidence in Members of the cabinet.
Art 113: Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court
Art 145(c): Supreme Court as final authority on the interpretation of the constitution, law or any other matter dealt with by a court of law.
Criminal procedure act
Judicature act 12 and 14

9:01 pm Member of Parliament Eva Abdulla said that all basic rights of citizens have been suspended. He added that in the current scenario security forces have sweeping powers to arrest and search.

9:00 pm Indian expatriates in Maldives are also alerted to the need for heightened security awareness, and urged to exercise due caution in public and avoid public gatherings: MEA

8:59 pm Indian government has asked Indian nationals in Maldives to  to defer all non-essential travels to Male and other atolls until further notice. In an official statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said “Prevailing political developments in Maldives & resultant law & 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.”

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