A 30-day state of emergency has been lifted early in the Maldives after “important progress” in an inquiry into a blast on President Abdulla Yameen’s boat.
The state of emergency was declared on November 4 to aid security forces after what the government said was a plot to assassinate Abdulla Yameen.
Abdulla Yameen narrowly escaped injury when a blast struck his boat last month.
US investigators said they had not been able to find any evidence that the blast was an assassination attempt.
Photo Reuters
“We are pleased that this matter has been dealt with so swiftly. We are looking forward to getting the country back on a more normal footing,” said Foreign Affairs Minister Dunya Maumoon.
The state of emergency gave wider powers to police and armed forces to arrest suspects and suspend freedom of assembly and movement. Members of the country’s military patrolled the streets while it was in effect.
It came two days before a planned protest by the country’s main opposition, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).
The Maldives, a popular destination for honeymooners and other tourists, has been rocked by political unrest in recent months. VP Ahmed Adeeb was impeached earlier this month, accused of involvement in the alleged boat assassination plot.
Ahmed Adeeb, whose predecessor was also impeached in July, is accused of high treason, a charge he denies.
Maldives President Abdulla Yameen has declared a 30-day state of emergency ahead of a planned anti-government rally.
The president’s declaration gives security forces sweeping powers to arrest suspects.
The move comes two days before the planned protest by the country’s main opposition, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).
MDP leader Mohamed Nasheed was jailed in March after a widely criticized conviction under anti-terror laws.
“President Yameen has declared (a) state of emergency to ensure the safety and security of every citizen,” his spokesman Muaz Ali tweeted.
Attorney-General Mohamed Anil said a cache of firearms and explosives had recently been discovered, as well as plots to use dangerous weapons.
On November 2, authorities said they had defused a bomb planted near the presidential palace.
“The military and police found weapons and an explosive from two locations,” Muaz Anil said.
“Because these would be a threat to the public and the nation, the National Security Council has advised to take immediate steps to protect the people of Maldives,” he added.
The Maldives has been rocked by political infighting in recent weeks, with Vice-President Ahmed Adeeb arrested in connection with an alleged plot to assassinate the president by blowing up his boat.
Abdulla Yameen narrowly escaped injury but his wife was hurt when a blast struck the boat, which he was using to return home from the airport last month.
Ahmed Adeeb has been charged with treason.
The FBI in the US investigated the blast and said it found no evidence that it was caused by a bomb.
Maldives Vice-President Ahmed Adeeb has been arrested in connection with an alleged plot to assassinate the president, the home minister says.
Ahmed Adeeb was in detention and being charged with high treason, Umar Naseer said on Twitter.
Maldives President Abdulla Yameen narrowly escaped injury when a blast struck the boat he was using to return home from the airport late last month.
In recent years, the Maldives has been rocked by political infighting.
Abdulla Yameen’s election has been the subject of drawn-out wrangling.
Security has been tightened in the capital Male amid fears of “turmoil” triggered by the arrest, says the Maldivian newspaper Haveeru.
“By early morning Saturday, trucks loaded with policemen and soldiers were seen on nearly every street,” it reports.
Four others were also arrested on October 24, the Maldives Independent website quoted police sub inspector Abdulla Nawaz as saying, but he gave no further details.
The website said Ahmed Adeeb’s arrest had “surprised and enthralled many Maldivians”.
President Abdulla Yameen and his wife were travelling to Male from the island where the airport is located on September 28 when their speedboat was hit by the bomb blast.
They had been to the hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
The president was unhurt, but his wife and a number of others were injured when the device went off under a seat normally – but not in this instance – occupied by Abdulla Yameen.
Officials described the attack as an assassination attempt and had arrested two senior police officers – a week after the president fired his defense minister.
On October 24, Ahmed Adeeb too was arrested at the airport as he returned from an official overseas visit, police confirmed.
Home Minister Umar Naseer said the vice-president was being held on a prison island.
Ahmed Adeeb, who has denied any links to the explosion, had only been vice-president for three months.
Ahmed Adeeb came to office when the previous vice-president was sacked by Abdulla Yameen, also on charges of treason.
According to near-final results, Abdulla Yameen has won the presidential election run-off vote in the Maldives.
Abdulla Yameen had 51.3% of the vote compared with 48.6% for ex-President Mohamed Nasheed, with 98% of ballots counted, the Election Commission said.
Mohamed Nasheed had won 47% in the first round this month, just short of the 50% needed for outright victory, in an election process mired in controversy.
Abdulla Yameen is half-brother to Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who ruled for 30 years in Maldives
Abdulla Yameen is half-brother to Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who ruled for 30 years.
Imad Masood, a spokesman for outgoing President Mohamed Waheed, told Reuters there were “four more boxes yet to be counted, but they won’t make any difference to the final results”.
There have been months of legal and political wrangling over the election, causing concern among foreign diplomats.
One result was annulled and two votes cancelled by the courts.
Mohamed Nasheed had been seeking to regain power after he was forced to resign in 2012.
This website has updated its privacy policy in compliance with EU GDPR 2016/679. Please read this to review the updates about which personal data we collect on our site. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our updated policy. AcceptRejectRead More
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
