The President of the Maldives defied a court order to release political prisoners, leading to riots in the capital, Male.

Now Abdulla Yamin has issued a 15-day state of emergency – and security forces have stormed the Supreme Court.

At the same time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is urging Swedish tourists to take it with caution, reports TT.

Last week, the Supreme Court of the Maldives ordered the acquittal of nine opposition political prisoners, including former President Mohamed Nasheed, the country's first democratically elected leader, who was forced from office in 2012.

The Supreme Court ruled that the legal proceedings against the detainees were not compatible with international law or the constitution. The court also ruled that twelve politicians who lost their seats in parliament after leaving the ruling party should be reinstated.

Riots in the streets
The court order was defied by the incumbent president, Abdulla Yamin, which has led to riots in the capital, Male, and soldiers have been sent into the streets.
Now Abdulla Yamin has issued a 15-day state of emergency as political tensions intensify, Reuters reports.

Source: TT