AMN / Male
In a major political crisis in Maldives, the government today asserted that Supreme court has no authority to seek removal of President Abdullah Yameen while former President Mohammed Nasheed exhorted people to come out and protest against the delay in Supreme court ruling on Thursday.
A joint press conference by country’s Attorney General, police and military chiefs said that government has information of Supreme court order to arrest President but police and army would reject it.
They asserted that security forces would only act in accordance with legal advice of Attorney General. President Yameen government has failed to implement the Thursday ruling so far which ordered release of opposition leaders and reinstating of opposition MPs.
There were protests outside the residence of Supreme court chief justice last night amidst reports that he was being forced to resign. Local media reported that police raided the residence of judicial administrator early today.
Meanwhile, Former President Mr. Nasheed appearing live on local television called for public arrest of incumbent President and also for the arrest of country’s Attorney General, military and police chiefs saying they have hardly few dozen people supporting within their ranks.
The atmosphere in capital Male is getting tense with both sides heading for a showdown. President Yameen had appeared before his supporters last evening saying that he was willing to hold early polls scheduled for later this year. He had said that his government is looking to ensure that the court ruling is implemented in a manner that it doesn’t cause any difficulties to people.