Former president of the Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed, has sought refuge at the Indian High Commission in Male.
He had sent below Tweet few hours back.
Mindful of my own security and stability in the Indian Ocean, I have taken refuge at the Indian High Commission in Maldives
In Maldives, Presidential Elections scheduled for September 2013, And, the former president Mohamed Nasheed is a candidate for the Presidential elections.
As a close and friendly neighbor, India has expressed concern over the ongoing political instability in Maldives and called upon the Government and all political parties to adhere strictly to democratic principles and the rule of law, thereby paving the way for free, fair, credible and inclusive elections.
External Ministry of India had released this press release about the Maldives Crisis.
Press statement on the situation in Maldives
February 13, 2013
Following the arrest warrant issued against him by the Hulhumale Magistrate Court, the former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed, who is a candidate for the Presidential elections in Maldives scheduled for September 2013, is in the Indian High Commission and has sought India’s assistance. We are in touch with the relevant Maldivian authorities to resolve the situation.
As a close and friendly neighbour, India has expressed concern over the ongoing political instability in Maldives and called upon the Government and all political parties to adhere strictly to democratic principles and the rule of law, thereby paving the way for free, fair, credible and inclusive elections. Now that the President of the Election Commission of Maldives has announced that Presidential elections would be held on 7 September 2013, it is necessary that the Presidential nominees of recognized political parties be free to participate in the elections without any hindrance. Prevention of participation by political leaders in the contest would call into question the integrity of the electoral process, thereby perpetuating the current political instability in Maldives. This is not in the interest of Maldives or the region. India would call upon the Government and all political parties in Maldives to avoid any actions that would vitiate the political atmosphere in the Maldives.
New Delhi
February 13, 2013
Mohamed Nasheed is Sometimes called as “the Mandela of the Maldives”. He was imprisoned more than twenty times for his opposition to long-time President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.
On 7 February 2012 Mohamed Nasheed resigned in front of local media from his presidency under disputed circumstances, following weeks of protests by opposition which had then been joined by majority of military and police forces. The next day, Nasheed stated that these protesters had joined with “powerful networks” of Gayoom loyalists to force his resignation in a coup d’état, and that he was forced to resign “at gunpoint” by police and army officers. Nasheed’s successor Mohammed Waheed Hassan denied these claims and stated that the transfer of power was voluntary and constitutional.
