Maldives declares state of emergency as crisis deepens

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Male, Feb 5:  Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Monday declared a 15-day state of emergency, his aide Azima Shukoor announced, deepening the political crisis in the Indian Ocean nation.
The move gives sweeping powers to security forces to arrest and detain suspects, and comes amid a tense standoff between the Supreme Court and the government.
The president has refused to comply with a court order to release political prisoners, despite growing international pressure and concern. Shukoor read out the declaration on state television shortly after Yameen sent three letters to the judges asking them to reverse their decision. This is the second time Yameen has declared a state of emergency. He last took the step in November 2015 after an alleged attempt to assassinate him. Officials said the president is required to inform the parliament about any declaration of emergency within two days, but the country’s legislature has been suspended indefinitely
by authorities.
The Supreme Court on Thursday had also restored the seats of 12 MPs who had defected from Yameen’s party, effectively handing the opposition a majority in the 85-member parliament, making the president vulnerable to impeachment.  Meanwhile, the Maldives Supreme Court did not seek assistance from the Indian government to enforce its last week’s order to release high-profile prisoners, including self-exiled former President Mohamed Nasheed and former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb, the Department of Judicial Administration (DJA) said. A report in Maldives’ SunOnline on Monday said that some Indian newspapers carried reports stating that the Indian Ocean nation’s Supreme Court asked for New Delhi’s assistance to enforce its February 1 order.  However, the DJA denied the reports, saying “neither the Department nor the top court made any such request”. Meanwhile, China Monday told its citizens not to visit the Maldives until normalcy returns in the Indian Ocean archipelago nation, which is witnessing political turmoil. “The spring festival is the peak season for Chinese citizens to go to the Maldives for tourism. In light of the relevant situation, we advise the Chinese tourists in the Maldives to follow closely the situation and be aware,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang. “At the same time, we advise the people who go to the Maldives not to travel to the Maldives before the situation gets normal.” Beijing also said it was closely following the developments in Maldives where the Supreme Court ordered the immediate release of jailed political leaders including self-exiled former President Mohamed Nasheed. However, the establishment led by President Abdulla Yameen has said that it will resist the order by the top court.