The Maldives’ President Abdulla Yameen yesterday declared a 15-day state of emergency in the Indian Ocean nation amid an escalating political crisis over his regime’s detention of political opponents and top judges.
Troops in riot gear surrounded the Maldives Supreme Court, in capital Male, at dawn today and arrested two judges including Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed, reports South African broadcaster SABC News. Hours earlier police had arrested former president and opposition leader Maumoon Abdul Gayoom - Yameen’s estranged half-brother - at his home in the city, says Time magazine.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
According to the Financial Times, the Supreme Court’s ruling “paved the way for the exiled opposition leader’s return to the Maldives to contest upcoming elections in which Yameen had expected to run virtually unchallenged”.
Nasheed today called for the US and India to intervene and release the prisoners, and to impose sanctions to curb Yameen’s financial transactions, the BBC reports.
Yameen has called the Supreme Court decision a “plot” and a “coup”.
China has advised tourists to avoid the Indian Ocean archipelago, a popular tourist destination, until tensions subside. The UK Foreign Office issued travel advice that cautions British tourists to avoid protests or rallies in Male, but that says there are no reports that outlying islands, resorts or Male International Airport are affected.
-
Political cartoons for October 26Cartoons Sunday’s editorial cartoons include Young Republicans group chat, Louvre robbery, and more
-
Why Britain is struggling to stop the ransomware cyberattacksThe Explainer New business models have greatly lowered barriers to entry for criminal hackers
-
Greene’s rebellion: a Maga hardliner turns against TrumpIn the Spotlight The Georgia congresswoman’s independent streak has ‘not gone unnoticed’ by the president
-
Sanae Takaichi: Japan’s Iron Lady set to be the country’s first woman prime ministerIn the Spotlight Takaichi is a member of Japan’s conservative, nationalist Liberal Democratic Party
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designationThe Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
