Male':
Ex-Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed was arrested dramatically by special operations police in the capital Male' on Tuesday. Helmeted police dressed in full riot gear, some with balaclava masks detained Mr Nasheed after a lower Hulhumale' court order. Sporadic violence broke out in the capital after the arrest that played out on Male's streets. The police arrested over 50 of Mr Nasheed's supporters. His Habeas corpus plea filed on Tuesday evening has been rejected without a hearing.
Mr Nasheed is to be presented in court at 4:30 pm (IST) on Wednesday. The former head of state faces charges of abuse of power when he was President. He is accused of unconstitutionally ordering the military to detain a judge in January 2012. Mr Nasheed argues that it's a politically motivated case to bar him from the September 7 presidential polls.
The ex-President avoided two previous arrest warrants by taking diplomatic shelter in the Indian mission on February 13. He spent 10 days in the High Commission before an Indian diplomatic delegation got an assurance of free, fair, credible and all inclusive elections.
New Delhi is widely believed to have brokered a deal though the Maldivian government vehemently denies any agreement. The current regime insists the law must take its own course and the judiciary is independent of the executive. But, highly placed official sources in Male' have told NDTV that Mr Nasheed is expected to walk a free man after Wednesday's hearing.
International reactions have been swift. In Delhi, the foreign ministry made a statement saying, "India expects due process and the Rule of Law would be followed. We would urge all concerned to exercise caution and restraint and not to resort to any violence or extra-constitutional means and steps which would weaken the democratic system."
The U.S has also taken note of the latest developments. In a statement it urged the law should not be used to bar Presidential candidates.
Last month, Mr Nasheed told NDTV, "If I face arrest again, I hope India and the international community will intervene more robustly and make sure things remain on track."